Lawrence Blochman
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Goldtree Blochman (February 17 1900 – January 1975) was an American detective story writer and translator.
Lawrence Blochman was born in San Diego, California
to Lucien A. Blochman, a banker, and his wife Haidee Goldtree. He began writing early. As a junior at San Diego High School, Blochman reported school sports for the San Diego Evening Tribune and, as a senior, he replaced the Tribune sports editor off to serve in World War I
. Blochman then attended the University of California, Berkeley
where he edited the college newspaper, the Daily Californian. In the summer he served as a police reporter for the Tribune and a courthouse reporter for the San Diego Sun. He graduated from college in 1921.
After graduation he tried to write his "way around the world," working in Tokyo
for the Japan Advertiser, in Hong Kong
for the South China Morning Post, the Far Eastern Review in Shanghai
, The Englishman in Calcutta and the Paris
edition of the Chicago Tribune. He returned to San Diego as city editor
of The Sun in 1924. In 1926 he married Marguerite Maillard in Paris
.
Writing as Lawrence G. Blochman, he published more than 50 books, including many mystery and detective novels, as well as several hundred short stories, novelettes and articles. Several of his stories were made into films, television and radio shows. He also translated more than a dozen books and detective stories from the French, including novels by the celebrated Belgian writer, Georges Simenon.
In 1948 Blochman served as the fourth president of the Mystery Writers of America
, following Baynard Kendrick
, Ellery Queen
and Hugh Pentecost
. In 1951 Blochman's "Diagnosis: Homicide" received an Edgar Award
in the Best Short Story category. He was vice president of the Overseas Press Club
and winner of its Meritorious Service Award in 1959. He died in New York City
in 1975. His widow Marguerite died there in 1991. Blochman's family was of French Jewish origin and was among the pioneers in San Diego.
Lawrence Blochman was born in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
to Lucien A. Blochman, a banker, and his wife Haidee Goldtree. He began writing early. As a junior at San Diego High School, Blochman reported school sports for the San Diego Evening Tribune and, as a senior, he replaced the Tribune sports editor off to serve in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Blochman then attended the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
where he edited the college newspaper, the Daily Californian. In the summer he served as a police reporter for the Tribune and a courthouse reporter for the San Diego Sun. He graduated from college in 1921.
After graduation he tried to write his "way around the world," working in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
for the Japan Advertiser, in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
for the South China Morning Post, the Far Eastern Review in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, The Englishman in Calcutta and the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
edition of the Chicago Tribune. He returned to San Diego as city editor
City editor
A city editor is a title used by a particular section editor of a newspaper. They are responsible for the daily changes of a particular issue of a newspaper that will be released in the coming day...
of The Sun in 1924. In 1926 he married Marguerite Maillard in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Writing as Lawrence G. Blochman, he published more than 50 books, including many mystery and detective novels, as well as several hundred short stories, novelettes and articles. Several of his stories were made into films, television and radio shows. He also translated more than a dozen books and detective stories from the French, including novels by the celebrated Belgian writer, Georges Simenon.
In 1948 Blochman served as the fourth president of the Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
, following Baynard Kendrick
Baynard Kendrick
Baynard Hardwick Kendrick wrote whodunit mystery novels about Duncan Maclain, a blind private investigator who worked with his two German shepherds and his household of assistants to solve murder mysteries. The novels were the basis for two films starring Edward Arnold, Eyes in the Night and The...
, Ellery Queen
Ellery Queen
Ellery Queen is both a fictional character and a pseudonym used by two American cousins from Brooklyn, New York: Daniel Nathan, alias Frederic Dannay and Manford Lepofsky, alias Manfred Bennington Lee , to write, edit, and anthologize detective fiction.The fictional Ellery Queen created by...
and Hugh Pentecost
Judson Philips
Judson Pentecost Philips was an American writer who wrote more than 100 mystery and detective novels under the pseudonyms Hugh Pentecost and Philip Owen, as well as under his own name...
. In 1951 Blochman's "Diagnosis: Homicide" received an Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
in the Best Short Story category. He was vice president of the Overseas Press Club
Overseas Press Club
The Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
and winner of its Meritorious Service Award in 1959. He died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1975. His widow Marguerite died there in 1991. Blochman's family was of French Jewish origin and was among the pioneers in San Diego.
Selected works
- Bombay Mail (1934)
- Blow-Down (1939)
- Recipe for Homicide (1952)
- See You at the Morgue (1941)
External links and sources
- The Blochman Saga in San Diego by Trudie Casper in The Journal of San Diego History, Winter 1977, Volume 23, Number 1