Leslie Charteris
The charming rogue who created Simon Templar, 'The Saint,' defining a century of gentleman adventurers in pulp fiction and film.
1907–1993 (age 86)·British-Chinese author·Birthday: May 12·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Leslie Charteris, born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin in Singapore to a Chinese father and English mother, crafted a life as dashing as his fiction. After studying at Cambridge and a brief, restless stint in several professions, he found his calling by inventing Simon Templar—a modern Robin Hood with a cheeky grin and a sense of style. Charteris didn't just write books; he built an empire, overseeing the Saint's journey through short stories, novels, a long-running comic strip, radio, and television with meticulous control. His prose was crisp and witty, reflecting his own cosmopolitan life of travel, sports cars, and gourmet food. More than a pulp writer, he was a brand manager ahead of his time, ensuring the Saint's mischievous spirit remained consistent across decades and media.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Leslie was born in 1907, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Leslie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1907
Leslie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1907Born
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1912Started school
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1920Became a teenager
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1923Could drive
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1925Could vote
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1928Turned 21
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1937Turned 30
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 40
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 50
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 60
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 70
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 80
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1993Died at 86
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
Key Achievements
- Created and developed the character Simon Templar, 'The Saint,' in a series of over 50 novels and short story collections.
- Wrote and edited 'The Saint' magazine for nearly two decades, sustaining the character's presence in public consciousness.
- Successfully adapted his creation for multiple media, including a iconic 1960s TV series starring Roger Moore.
- Authored the 'The Saint' comic strip, which was syndicated in newspapers internationally for years.
Did You Know?
He legally changed his name to Leslie Charteris, adopting the surname from a character in a previous novel.
Charteris held American, British, and Singaporean citizenship at various points in his life.
He was an accomplished pilot, deep-sea fisherman, and gourmet cook.
The Saint's famous calling card—a stick figure with a halo—was designed by Charteris himself.
He once worked as a professional bridge player and a bartender in a speakeasy.
“The only logical basis for government is the consent of the governed, and the only logical basis for consent is the happiness of the people.”
