John Mortimer
English lawyer and author, Rumpole series

Born
April 21st, 1923
102 years ago
Died
January 16th, 2009
16 years ago — 85 years old
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
United Kingdom
Links & References
An English lawyer and author contributed significantly to literature and legal discourse. Mortimer served as a barrister, specializing in criminal law, and gained prominence through the creation of the character Horace Rumpole, featured in a series of stories and television adaptations. These works depicted the life of a defense barrister navigating the complexities of the legal system while providing satirical commentary. In addition to fiction, Mortimer wrote plays and screenplays, with works performed on stage and television. His legal experiences informed his writing, combining humor and insight into the legal profession.
Created the character Horace Rumpole
Wrote the play 'The Taming of the Shrew'
Authored the novel 'Rumpole of the Bailey'
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