John Mortimer

John Mortimer was a highly acclaimed author, barrister, and playwright from England. He is best known for his Rumpole series of books, which were based on his experiences as a barrister. Mortimer was born in Hamsptead, London, in 1923, and was the only child of Clifford Mortimer, a barrister who became blind due to an accident in 1936. Mortimer attended the Dragon School, Oxford, and then the Harrow School, where he became a part of the Communist Party. He initially wanted to become an actor and then a writer, but his father encouraged him to pursue a career in law.

Mortimer studied law at Brasenose College, Oxford, but had to complete his studies at the Christ Church building due to the requisitioning of the Brasenose buildings for war effort. He was asked to vacate the Christ Church premises in 1942 after his romantic letters to a 6th-former from Bradfield College were discovered. Mortimer completed his graduation with a BA degree from Oxford in 1943. During his law career, Mortimer worked in defense of many high-profile obscenity cases, including defending Gay News editor on charges of blasphemous libel and Virgin Records over their use of the word "bollocks" for the Sex Pistols album.

Apart from his law career, Mortimer was also a successful author, writing mystery, literature & fiction, thriller, and nonfiction novels. He was one of the most famous authors from the United Kingdom, and his books received critical acclaim. Mortimer was also a screenwriter and dramatist, and he received a knighthood for his services to the arts in 1998. His notable works include the Rumpole series, the Rapstone Chronicles, and a trilogy of political novels featuring Leslie Titmuss. Mortimer passed away on January 16, 2009, leaving behind a legacy as a talented author and barrister.