Donald Barr Chidsey

Donald Barr Chidsey (1902-1981) was a frequent contributor to the pulp magazines in the 1930s, even as he developed a more socially acceptable career as a historical novelist and biographer. Early on he dabbled in private eye fiction for such magazines as Star Detective, Detective Fiction Weekly, Dime Detective, and Black Mask, where he wrote tough stuff about homicide cops and busybody newshawks. He became best known for adventure stories, swift and flavorful historical fiction, much of it set at sea, where the author had spent some time himself.