FACTBOX: Who was Ian Fleming?
(Reuters) - London's Imperial War Museum opens a new exhibition on Thursday devoted to the life and work of British author Ian Fleming, creator of superspy James Bond.
Fleming was born 100 years ago in 1908.
Here are some facts on Ian Fleming.
* EARLY LIFE:
-- Fleming was born in Mayfair, London, to Valentine Fleming, an MP. He was also the grandson of Scottish banker Robert Fleming. He was educated at Eton before going on to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. After an early departure from the prestigious officer training school, he opted to study languages at a private school in Austria.
-- Following an unsuccessful application to join the Foreign Office, Fleming worked as a sub-editor and journalist for Reuters, and then as a stockbroker in London.
-- At the start of World War Two, Fleming was recruited into naval intelligence. He became personal assistant to Admiral John H. Godfrey, who served as the model for James Bond's commanding officer, "M".
* MY NAME IS BOND, JAMES BOND:
-- Fleming's intelligence work did provide the background for his novels. In 1953, he published his first novel, "Casino Royale" which introduced secret agent James Bond, known by his code number, 007 - which gave him a license to kill.
-- Besides the twelve novels and nine short stories he wrote featuring James Bond, Fleming is also known for the children's story, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".
* BOND FILMS:
-- In 1961, Fleming sold the film rights to his Bond novels and short stories to Harry Saltzman. He co-produced the film "Dr. No" (1962) with Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli.
-- "Dr. No" was an instant hit and was followed by "From Russia with Love" (1963), the second and last James Bond movie Ian Fleming saw.
* "Quantum of Solace" is the 22nd film in the long-running movie franchise and will star Daniel Craig, as British agent 007. It is scheduled to open in late 2008.
* THE END:
-- Fleming died of a heart attack in Canterbury, Kent in August 1964. He was 56. His widow, Ann Geraldine Mary Fleming died in 1981.
Sources: Reuters/ the Biography Channel/ Britannica.com.
