Francis, Dick

The British jockey and author Richard Stanley "Dick" Francis is famous worldwide both as a champion jockey – at one time jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother – and as a bestselling author. From 1962 onwards he dedicated most of his time to writing crime fiction. He was an immensely successful author and is known as one of the most frequently awarded authors of his generation. He received three Edgars for best crime novel in 1970, 1981 and 1996 respectively as well as a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award; the English Crime Writers’ Association awarded him a Silver Dagger in 1965, a Gold Dagger in 1979 and a Diamond Dagger in 1989. He was given an OBE in 1983 and a CBE in 2000. He also received many foreign awards and distinctions as well as innumerable racing awards.