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Birth and childhood
Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, South West England into a comfortably well off middle class family. She was home schooled by her father, an American. Her mother was an excellent storyteller. At the age of eleven Agather lost her father and became her mother’s closest companion. -
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Agatha Christie's life
Agatha Christie was an English writer of crime and romantic novels. She is best remembered for her detective stories including the two diverse characters of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. She is considered to be the best selling writer of all time. Her works have been translated into more languages than any other individual writer. -
First marriage
In 1912 Agatha met Archie Christie, a qualified aviator who had applied to join the Royal Flying Corps. Their courtship was a whirlwind affair; both were desperate to marry but with no money. They married on Christmas Eve 1914 after both had experienced war – Archie in France and Agatha on the Home Front now working with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in a Red Cross Hospital in Torquay. -
Birth of a child
On the 5th August, 1919 Agatha gave birth to hir only daughter, Rosalind. It was also the year that a publisher, John Lane of The Bodley Head, received the manuscript accepted The Mysterious Affair at Styles for publication and contracted Agatha to produce five more books. -
Disappearance
In 1926 Archie asked Agatha for a divorce. He was in love with Nancy Neele. On 3 December 1926, the Christies quarrelled. In the evening, around 9.45 pm, Christie disappeared from her home, leaving behind a letter for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire. On 14 December 1926, Agatha Christie was found. -
Second marriage
In 1930 Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan, having met him in an archaeological dig. Their marriage was always happy, and it continued until Christie's death. Christie frequently used settings that were familiar to her for her stories. Her travels with Mallowan contributed background to several of her novels set in the Middle East. -
Grandson's birth
Rosalind gave birth to Mathew on 21st September 1943. Agatha was a loving grandmother and often went to help look after the baby. Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, was heir to the copyright to some of his grandmother's literary work and he is still associated with Agatha Christie Limited. -
Death
Agatha's last public appearance was at the opening night of the 1974 film version of Murder on the Orient Express starring Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot. After a hugely successful career and a very happy life Agatha died peacefully on 12 January 1976. She is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's, Cholsey, near Wallingford.
