Harry Kemelman was an accomplished American author, best known for his mystery novels, particularly the Rabbi Small series. Born in Boston in 1908, Kemelman pursued higher education in his hometown, earning a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Boston University and a Master's in English philology from Harvard. Before embarking on his writing career, he worked as an English teacher and served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and the War Assets Administration during World War II.
Kemelman's writing career took off with short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, featuring a New England college professor named Nicky Welt. His first story, "The Nine Mile Walk," is considered a classic in the genre. However, it was the Rabbi Small series that brought Kemelman widespread recognition. The series began in 1964 with the publication of "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late," which became a bestseller and earned Kemelman a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The Rabbi Small books are not just mysteries; they also provide insightful commentary on Conservative Judaism.