S.S. Van Dine was the pseudonym adopted by Willard Huntington Wright (October 15, 1888 – April 11, 1939), an American art critic and author, who found fame as a detective novelist. He turned to writing detective fiction during a prolonged period of illness, thereby creating the immensely popular and erudite sleuth, Philo Vance. Philo Vance embodied a blend of aristocratic charm and sharp intellect...