James Leasor

James Leasor was a British writer of historical novels and thrillers and contributed over 50 works across genres. He is best known for his work Passport to Oblivion, which was adapted into the film "Where the Spies Are," starring David Niven.

Thomas James Leasor was born in Erith, Kent. He attended the City of London School. His first job after graduating high school was as a Cub Scout reporter for the Kent Messenger.

His World War II service, where he survived a torpedo attack, laid the foundation for his multifaceted career. Wounded in action and contributing to newspapers and the forces' publications, Leasor's firsthand experiences fueled his debut, Not Such a Bad Day (1946). Despite the book's success, Leasor received only £50 for its rights.

After the war, Leasor attended Oriel College, Oxford, and eventually became a full-time writer for the Daily Express.

Leasor's literary repertoire extended to historical novels, including a trilogy focused on the 19th-century Far Eastern merchant Robert Gunn. While writing under the pseudonym Andrew MacAllan, he created sagas set in Africa and Asia and the Aristo Autos series.

James Leasor has seamlessly blended fiction and non-fiction, beginning with the critically acclaimed The Red Fort (1956). His biographies delved into the lives of notable figures like Lord Nuffield and RSM Brittain.

Leasor's fascination with extraordinary events of World War II manifested in books like The One That Got Away (1956) and Boarding Party (1978), adapted into popular films. His meticulous storytelling explored diverse facets, from the fall of Singapore to the unknown warrior deceiving Hitler about the D-Day invasion.

Married to barrister Joan Bevan, Leasor spent his last four decades at Swallowcliffe Manor in Wiltshire, where he died in autumn 2007.

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