Dexter, Colin

The British crime writer Colin Dexter grew up in Stamford, Lincolnshire. After completing his military service in 1950, he read classics at Christ's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1953 and receiving an honorary masters degree in 1958. Dexter was a grammar school teacher until 1966, when he started to experience problems with his hearing. He then worked for the University of Oxford Examination Board until he retired in 1988 and started to write full time. In 1956, he married Dorothy Cooper, and they had two children. Colin Dexter was British crossword champion, and crosswords was a subject he often includes in his books together with his other two interests – music and literature. Colin Dexter was awarded two Gold Daggers, two Silver Daggers, one Diamond Dagger, and an OBE.