Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1919-05-30)30 May 1919 |
| Died | 20 March 2001(2001-03-20) (aged 81) Teddington,London, England |
| Occupation | Novelist, short-story writer |
| Genre | Horror,mystery,fantasy,science fiction |
| Notable awards | Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement British Fantasy Society Special Award |
Ronald Henry Glynn Chetwynd-Hayes (30 May 1919 – 20 March 2001)[1] was a British author, known best for his ghost and horror stories.[2][3] He also published stories using the names Angus Campbell and Henry Glynn.[4]
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Chetwynd-Hayes worked in the furnishing trade.[3] His first published work was the science fiction novelThe Man From The Bomb of 1959. He subsequently published many collections and ten other novels includingThe Grange,The Haunted Grange,And Love Survived andThe Curse of the Snake God.[2] Several of his short works were adapted into anthology-style movies in the United Kingdom, includingThe Monster Club andFrom Beyond the Grave. Chetwynd-Hayes' bookThe Monster Club contains references to a movie-maker named Vinke Rocnnor, ananagram ofKevin Connor, the director ofFrom Beyond The Grave.John Carradine played Chetwynd-Hayes inThe Monster Club.
He also edited more than 20 anthologies. Chetwynd-Hayes assumed the editorship of theFontana Book of Great Ghost Stories after the departure of the previous editor,Robert Aickman.[3] Chetwynd-Hayes also edited several other anthologies, including theArmada Monster Book series for children.[3] Chetwynd-Hayes was nicknamed "Britain's Prince of Chill" by British horrorfandom.[3]
Mike Ashley described Chetwynd-Hayes' story "The Gatecrasher", about the ghost ofJack the Ripper, as a "powerful tale".[2] Chris Morgan stated about Chetwynd-Hayes: "at his best he is a fine writer, capable of producing gripping and wonderfully atmospheric stories at all lengths".[3]
He won theBram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement for 1988,[5] and theBritish Fantasy Society Special Award in 1989.[6]
Chetwynd-Hayes died from bronchial pneumonia on 20 March 2001.[7]
