William Harrington was an American author, best known for his mystery and thriller novels. He was born on November 21, 1931, in Marietta, Ohio, and passed away on November 8, 2000, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Before becoming a successful author, Harrington worked as a lawyer from 1958 to 1976, an electoral adviser from 1962 to 1965 in Columbus, and an attorney from 1978 to 1980.
Harrington's writing career began in 1963 with the publication of his first novel, "The Justice Which, Which the Thief." The book received positive reviews and was based on a real case of jewelry robberies in Ohio. Harrington's expertise in detective stories was further demonstrated in his popular book, "The English Lady," published in 1982. This espionage novel focused on Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War.
In addition to his work as a novelist, Harrington was also a teacher and debater. He taught a history class at the Greenwich Senior Center and engaged in discussions about current events and history with Parsonage Cottage residents. Harrington was married twice and had an adopted son.
Between 1993 and 1998, Harrington wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the American television series of the same name. He also co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Over the course of his career, Harrington wrote over 20 books, establishing himself as a prolific and talented author in the mystery and thriller genres.