Philip MacDonald was born in London on November 5, 1900, the grandson of fantasy author George MacDonald and the son of author Ronald MacDonald and actress Constance Robertson. His own writing career began with two books he co‐authored with his father under the name "Oliver Fleming." In 1924 he established himself as a major figure in mystery writing with his publication of The Rasp. After relocating to Hollywood in 1932 and divorcing his first wife, MacDonald married his secretary, and soon became one of the most popular mystery authors of the time. As well as writing many movie screenplays, he specialized in whodunnits and locked room mysteries, most of them featuring detective Anthony Gethryn. In later years MacDonald wrote TV scripts, and twice won the Edgar Award for Best Short Story. He died at the Motion Picture Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, California, on December 10, 1980.