Stout, Rex

Stout, Rex,

1886–1975, American writer, b. Noblesville, Ind. He served in the navy and worked in New York City as founder and director of the Vanguard Press. His best-known works are nearly 70 mystery stories featuring Nero Wolfe, a large gourmet detective who solves crimes from the comfort of his study. Stout's Nero Wolfe Cookbook appeared in 1973. After Stout's death, Robert Goldsborough wrote a successful series of new Nero Wolfe stories.

Bibliography

See study by W. S. Baring-Gould (1969) and D. R. Anderson (1984).

Stout, Rex (Todhunter)

(1886–1975) writer; born in Noblesville, Ind. His family moved to Topeka, Kans., when he was young, and he was schooled locally. He joined the navy (1906–08), then held a variety of jobs in different locations. He lived in Paris (1927–29), and upon his return, began a long and successful writing career. His first mystery novel, Fer-de-Lance (1934), introduced Nero Wolfe, a fat, brilliant, orchid-loving detective, and Archie Goodwin, his assistant and man-about-town. Stout lived in Brewster, N.Y., served on many patriotic committees and boards, and was a radio broadcaster during World War II. He was also a founder and director of Vanguard Press.