C. H. B. Kitchin
C. H. B. Kitchin, born Clifford Henry Benn Kitchin in 1895 in Harrowgate, England, was a notable British author best recognized for his contributions to both poetry and crime fiction. Educated at Clifton College and Exeter College, Oxford, he served in the British Army during World War I, experiencing significant events that would later influence his writing. Following the war, Kitchin published his first poetry collections, "Curtains" (1919) and "Winged Victory" (1921), and coedited the Oxford Poetry series in 1920.
Financially secure from inheritance and successful stock market investments, Kitchin was able to focus on his literary career. His early novels, particularly "Death of My Aunt" (1929), marked his emergence as a mystery writer, receiving acclaim for its character development despite some criticism regarding its puzzle's difficulty. He continued to write both detective and mainstream novels, with works like "The Auction Sale" (1949) and "The Book of Life" (1960) earning critical praise. Kitchin's literary career spanned several decades, and he passed away in 1967. His legacy reflects a blend of wit, engaging narratives, and a keen observation of societal dynamics, appealing to a diverse readership.
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Subject Terms
C. H. B. Kitchin
Author
- Born: October 17, 1895
- Birthplace: Harrogate, Yorkshire, England
- Died: 1967
Biography
Clifford Henry Benn Kitchin (better known as C. H. B. Kitchin) was born in Harrowgate, England, in 1895. He attended Clifton College in Bristol and Exeter College in Oxford. He enlisted in the British army during World War I and served in France from 1916 to 1918. After the war, he wrote and published two books of poetry titled Curtains, published in 1919 and Winged Victory, published two years later. He also coedited the 1920 edition of the Oxford Poetry series.
Kitchin inherited a lot of money and made more money by investing in the stock market. His financial security enabled him to devote himself to writing. His first two novels, Streamers Waving (1925), and Mr. Balcony (1927), demonstrated his keen wit. His third novel, Death of My Aunt (1929), was a commercial and critical success and established him as a mystery writer. The book tells the story of Malcolm Warren, a young stockbroker, who is accused of poisoning his wealthy aunt. The novel has been praised for its realistic and believable characters. However, one critic noted that “the novel’s puzzle is not difficult to solve.”
Warren was featured in Crime at Christmas (1934), Death of His Uncle (1939), and The Cornish Fox (1949). Crime at Christmas was not much of a success because of the book’s stereotypical characters and Warren’s introspective nature. However, Warren is a more attractive character in Death of His Uncle. The final novel featuring Warren has been criticized for its poor writing, with one critic claiming “The last of Kitchin’s detective novels, The Cornish Fox, is also the least.” In addition to detective novels, Kitchin wrote many mainstream novels, including The Auction Sale (1949), and The Book of Life (1960), both of which have been praised by critics. Kitchin died in 1967.