S. S. Van DineS. S. Van Dine was the pen name of American writer Willard Huntington Wright, who was born in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1888. He was a highly influential figure in the development of the detective fiction genre during the early 20th century, and hs work helped to establish many of the conventions and tropes that have become synonymous with the genre. Van Dine is perhaps best known for his series of detective novels featuring the character of Philo Vance, a wealthy amateur sleuth who uses his intellect and knowledge of criminology to solve complex murder cases. "The Benson Murder Case" is the first book in this series and is widely regarded as a classic of the genre. In addition to his detective fiction, Van Dine was also a prolific critic and essayist. He wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including art, literature, and philosophy, and was known for his erudite and opinionated style.  Read More Read Less