born Sept. 9, 1900, Leigh, Lancashire, Eng.
died Dec. 20, 1954, Long Beach, Calif., U.S.
British novelist.
Educated at Cambridge University, he later wrote numerous novels but is principally remembered for three best-selling works that led to popular films: Lost Horizon (1933; film, 1937), Good-Bye Mr. Chips (1934; film, 1939), and Random Harvest (1941; film, 1942). He eventually moved to California to work as a screenwriter.