R. Chetwynd-Hayes
R. Chetwynd-Hayes was a British author known for his significant contributions to the horror and supernatural fiction genres. Born in the late 1920s, he had a modest educational background, leaving school without qualifications before working as a film extra and later serving in the British Army during World War II. After the war, Chetwynd-Hayes transitioned to a career in retail, specifically in furniture sales, while pursuing writing in his spare time.
His literary career began with the publication of a short story in 1954, but it took time for him to gain traction, with his first novel, a science fiction work titled *The Man from the Bomb*, published in 1959. Motivated by the perceived low standards in horror fiction, he pivoted to this genre during the 1960s and eventually gained recognition for his ghost stories and novels. His breakthrough came in the 1970s, particularly with the film adaptation of his stories in *Beyond the Grave* and the novel *The Monster Club*, which was also made into a film in 1980.
Chetwynd-Hayes received several awards later in his life, including the British Fantasy Society Special Award and the Horror Writers of America Life Achievement Award. He remained active in the literary community, participating in conventions and engaging with fans until around 2000, marking a notable legacy in horror literature.
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Subject Terms
R. Chetwynd-Hayes
Writer
- Born: May 30, 1919
- Birthplace: Middlesex, England
- Died: March 20, 2001
Biography
R. Chetwynd-Hayes attended Hanworth School, Middlesex, during the late 1920’s and left without formal qualifications. While still in his teens, he was employed as an extra at local English film studios. When World War II began, he joined the British army and rose to the rank of sergeant. Because being a film extra was not regarded as a reliable source of income, he went to work for Harrod’s department store after the war. He was a buyer for their furniture department. Then he moved to a smaller organization, Peerless Built-In Furniture, in London, where he was a showroom manager.
During the early 1950’s, Chetwynd-Hayes began to write in the evenings after work. While a single story sold to The Lady magazine in 1954 gave him hope of literary success, he produced little and had difficulties placing other stories. His first novel was a work of science fiction called The Man from the Bomb(1959). During the 1960’s, still working as a furniture showroom manager, he turned to horror fiction because he felt that the standards were low and that he could do better.
Only gradually did he become successful and well known as a writer of ghost and horror stories and novels. When four of his stories were put together and filmed as Beyond the Grave in 1973, he gave up his day job to write full time. His book The Monster Club was turned into a film in 1980, and he was a prolific writer of supernatural stories and novels between the 1970’s and about 2000.
His awards came late in life. He received the British Fantasy Society Special Award in 1988 and the Horror Writers of America Life Achievement Award in 1989 (he made his only visit to the U.S. to collect the latter honor). He was a guest of honor at FantasyCon XVII in 1992 and at the World Fantasy Convention in London in 1997.