Erle Stanley Gardner
By Illa Vij

THE lawyer Perry Mason, who brilliantly solves cases in about 82 of Gardner’s novels, has been admired the world over. Of course his brilliance and clever work is the result of Erle Stanley Gardner’s ingenuity.

Under the pen name A.A. Fair, Gardner brought out 29 novels which captivate the attention of the reader by the ability and intelligence of private investigators Bertha Cool and Donald Lam. Besides, Gardner also wrote hundreds of mystery and science fiction novelettes. He also turned out heavily illustrated, non-fiction books about his explorations and adventures in Mexico and the deserts of south-west America. Millions of copies of Gardner’s books have been sold in over 20 countries. He had the ability to bring out a full length mystery story within a month, often even less. His Perry Mason television show was watched by viewers all over the world.

Erle Stanley Gardner was born in 1889, in Malden, Massachusetts.

His father was a mining engineer and moved the family to California. Erle was quite a mischievous boy and was expelled from the local school. He had to complete his schooling from a school in a distant town. He did not attend college but read law in an attorney’s offices and was admitted to the Bar. He even began practising law and his speciality lay in defending the underprivileged lot. This was not profitable but gave him vast experience in the field of law. After trying his luck in several business ventures, he decided to take up writing.

In 1923, Gardner sold a story called The Shrieking Skeleton to a magazine for $ 160. Gradually, he began to devote more time to his writings and less to his law practice.

He invented Perry Mason, the genius for the defence, who always wins his cases, who always solves his cases, mostly in the courtroom, making the courtroom scene gripping and dramatic.

The first Perry Mason story, The Case of the Valvet Claws was published in 1933.

Very soon Gardner’s fame began to spread. When the television entered homes, Gardner formed his own company and aired the Perry Mason show.

Gardner came to be regarded as an authority on penology and criminal law. He knew the judges and prison wardens very well and often visited prisons. He talked to prisoners and tried to help them get their release. He even campaigned for better methods of rehabilitation in the prisons in the country. He even initiated a project called The Court of Last Resort. Gardner was helped by Harry Steeger, editor and publisher of Argosy. Harry supported the project by giving space in the magazine and even money to cover investigation expenses. A group of criminal investigators were recruited who fought the cases for men who, they felt, had been wrongly convicted. The defects in the criminal law practice were highlighted, and as a result many innocent men were released from prison.

Gardner spent a lot of time and money on this project and he enjoyed his popularity and fame. He lived on 3,000-acre ranch in Southern California.

He called the place Gardner’s Fiction Factory. The ranch had structures that housed his workers, garage workshops, fireproof manuscript vaults and many caravans too. His massive libraries were a part of his working area. A staff of 18 persons ran his household. He had got married in 1912, but later amicably separated from his wife. He lived an active life till his death in 1970.