Ian Fleming (May 28, 1908 - August 12, 1964), the inventive mind behind one of fiction’s most renowned characters, James Bond, was a British author, journalist and naval intelligence officer. His internationally acclaimed Bond stories — full of violence, spying, espionage, colorful locations and beautiful women — are worldwide bestsellers and have been the source material for many Hollywood films. In addition to 12 James Bond novels. Fleming also authored 9 short stories. In 2008, The Times ranked Fleming 14th on the list of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945”.