Salvatore Albert Lombino legally adopted the name Evan Hunter in May 1952, following an editor's recommendation that a name change would boost book sales. This transition marked the beginning of a prolific literary career spanning decades, during which he emerged as a significant force in American crime fiction, police procedurals, and screenwriting, eventually producing an extensive bibliography under various identities.
Early Development and War Service
Born in New York City in 1926, the author spent his childhood in East Harlem and the Bronx. He attended Olinville Junior High School and Evander Childs High School before receiving a scholarship to the Art Students League and later enrolling at Cooper Union. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy aboard a destroyer in the Pacific, a period during which he began drafting short stories. Following his military discharge, he returned to education at Hunter College, majoring in English and psychology, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1950.
Literary Beginnings and Pseudonyms
Before gaining fame, he worked as an executive editor at the Scott Meredith Literary Agency. His early professional efforts included science fiction sales under his birth name. To navigate the publishing industry's expectations, he adopted multiple pen names, including Richard Marsten, Hunt Collins, Curt Cannon, Ezra Hannon, and John Abbott. He eventually settled on Evan Hunter for general fiction and Ed McBain for crime novels, a distinction that helped clarify the expected tone and style for his readers.
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His 1954 novel The Blackboard Jungle drew directly from his brief tenure as a teacher at Bronx Vocational High School. The work received significant attention and was adapted into a 1955 film. His career in cinema also included writing the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film The Birds, based on a Daphne du Maurier story. He was subsequently hired to work on the script for Marnie but departed the production following creative disputes with the director.
The 87th Precinct Legacy
The 87th Precinct series, launched with Cop Hater in 1956, became the foundation of his reputation in the police procedural genre. He maintained a steady output of these novels until his death in 2005. Between 1978 and 1998, he also authored the Matthew Hope detective series. His contributions to literature were acknowledged with the 1986 Grand Master award, the 1997 Riverton International Honour Prize, and the 1998 Cartier Diamond Dagger.
Fast facts
- Born: 1926, New York City
- Died: 2005, Weston
- Education: Hunter College, Cooper Union
- Major Series: 87th Precinct
- Notable Screenplay: The Birds (1963)
- Grand Master Award: 1986
- Riverton International Honour Prize: 1997
- Cartier Diamond Dagger: 1998
Questions readers ask
Did Evan Hunter really use multiple pen names?
Yes. He used several including Ed McBain, Richard Marsten, Hunt Collins, Curt Cannon, Ezra Hannon, and John Abbott to distinguish between different genres and styles of work.
What inspired the novel The Blackboard Jungle?
The book was based on his personal experience working as a teacher at Bronx Vocational High School for 17 days in September 1950.
Was he connected to Alfred Hitchcock?
He wrote the screenplay for Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds and began work on the script for Marnie before being dismissed from the project.
Achievements
- Riverton International Honour Prize — 1997
- Notable work: 87th Precinct
- Genres: mystery fiction, science fiction literature and crime literature
