J.I.M. Stewart

J.I.M. Stewart (born Sept. 30, 1906, Edinburgh, Scot.—died Nov. 12, 1994, Coulsdon, Surrey, Eng.) was a British novelist, literary critic, and educator who created the character of Inspector John Appleby, a British detective known for his suave humour and literary finesse.

Stewart was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, and lectured in English at the University of Leeds from 1930 to 1935. While making a sea voyage from England to serve as professor of English at the University of Adelaide (1935–45), Stewart began to write a detective novel, Death at the President’s Lodging, which was published in 1936. It was the first of almost 50 novels he was to write under the pseudonym Michael Innes. Stewart was unique among fellow mystery writers of the day for his stylish wit and for allowing his character to age over the years; Inspector Appleby rises through the police ranks to become commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and holder of a knighthood before retiring. Among the best known of these books are Appleby’s End (1945), The Journeying Boy (1949), and Operation Pax (1951).

Stewart wrote other works of fiction under his own name and held various teaching posts. He wrote works of literary criticism on William Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, and Rudyard Kipling. His autobiography, Myself and Michael Innes, was published in 1987.