Author, Jockey. A former champion steeplechase jockey, he later won an international following for his mystery novels, all of which have a background in horseracing. Francis was born in Tenby, South Wales, and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war he became a star of British National Hunt racing, winning over 350 races and reigning as champion of the sport during the 1953-1954 season. From 1953 to 1957 he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and was riding the Queen Mother's horse Devon Loch when it notoriously collapsed moments short of victory at the 1956 Grand National. The following year Francis was forced to retire from racing after a serious fall. During his recovery he penned his autobiography, "The Sport of Queens" (1957), which led to a new career in writing, initially as a racing correspondent for Britain's Sunday Express newspaper. He published his first mystery novel, "Dead Cert", in 1962, and from then on turned out a book a year until his retirement in 2001. His works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Among his several honors are three Edgar Allen Poe awards for his novels "Forfeit" (1968), "Whip Hand" (1979) and "Come to Grief" (1995), a Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and a lifetime achievement "Grand Master" award from that association in 1996. Queen Elizabeth II made Francis a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000. He died at his home in the Cayman Islands at the age of 89.
Author, Jockey. A former champion steeplechase jockey, he later won an international following for his mystery novels, all of which have a background in horseracing. Francis was born in Tenby, South Wales, and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war he became a star of British National Hunt racing, winning over 350 races and reigning as champion of the sport during the 1953-1954 season. From 1953 to 1957 he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and was riding the Queen Mother's horse Devon Loch when it notoriously collapsed moments short of victory at the 1956 Grand National. The following year Francis was forced to retire from racing after a serious fall. During his recovery he penned his autobiography, "The Sport of Queens" (1957), which led to a new career in writing, initially as a racing correspondent for Britain's Sunday Express newspaper. He published his first mystery novel, "Dead Cert", in 1962, and from then on turned out a book a year until his retirement in 2001. His works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Among his several honors are three Edgar Allen Poe awards for his novels "Forfeit" (1968), "Whip Hand" (1979) and "Come to Grief" (1995), a Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association for his outstanding contribution to the genre, and a lifetime achievement "Grand Master" award from that association in 1996. Queen Elizabeth II made Francis a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000. He died at his home in the Cayman Islands at the age of 89.
Bio by: Jane Hatch
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