About William Garner
Lived 1920 – 2005 (aged 84–85). William Garner was a novelist.
William Garner (born 1920, in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England - 2005) was an English thriller writer.
Life and work Garner graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1941 with a BSc (with honors). He served with the Royal Air Force from 1941 to 1946, rising to the rank of flight lieutenant.
He married Gwen Owen in 1944 while she was in the WAAF. The Observer believed Garner was "A novelist of stature who leaves his own distinctive imprint on the le Carré scene." The Crime Writers' Association short-listed Rat's Alley for their Gold Dagger award.
When asked to describe himself, Garner replied "Strongly motivated. Views on almost everything that matters. Views on what matters might differ from those of many."
He is also the author of the article "Spies and sex make a puzzling mix", first published in The Observer in 1987.
Arthritis increasingly crippled Garner's hands later in life, preventing him from writing.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Garner's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Garner?
English thriller writer (1920–2005)
When was William Garner born?
William Garner was born in 1920.
When did William Garner die?
William Garner died in 2005.
What was William Garner's occupation?
William Garner was a novelist.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Garner (novelist)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Garner. https://biography.guide/william-garner/
MLA: "William Garner." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-garner/.
Chicago: "William Garner." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-garner/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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