Novelist Stephen Marlowe died Friday, February 22, at Sentara Williamsburg Medical Center in Williamsburg, Va after a long illness. He was 79.

Marlowe was the author of more than 50 novels, which were translated into more than two dozen languages. He began his career as a writer of pulp and science fiction. He may be best remembered as the author of the private eye series featuring Chester Drum.

Although his name was changed legally to Stephen Marlow, he was born Milton Lesser to Norman and Sylvia Lesser of Brooklyn, New York, on August 7, 1928. Early in his pulp magazine writing career, he wrote as Milton Lesser, Alexander Blade, Ralph Burke, Adam Chase, Lee Francis, Andrew Frazer, Darius John Granger, Jason Ridgway, S. M.Tenneshaw, C. H. Thames, and at least once as Ellery Queen.

His science fiction and fantasy writing included at least 7 novels, and the collection, Drum Beat. He also edited the anthology, Looking Forward.

In addition to his published work, Marlowe founded the Writer-in-Residence program at William & Mary in 1974. Marlowe received France's Prix Gutenberg du Livre in 1988 and the Life Achievement Award of the Private Eye Writers of America in 1997.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Marlowe; sister, Carolyn Frucht, daughters, Deirdre Marlowe, and Robin Marlowe and grandchildren Marlowe and Adam Z. Boukis.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Authors League Fund, 31 East 32nd Street, 7th floor, New York NY 10016.

Posted February 25, 2008