Colin Dexter was initially a teacher before becoming the world famous author of the best-selling Inspector Morse books.

Colin Dexter was born and grew up in Stamford. He won a scholarship to the local grammar school and after completing his National Service went on to study at Cambridge.

Colin Dexter entered Christchurch College to study classics and graduated in 1953 before going on to gain a Masters Degree in 1958.

Since 1966 he has lived in Oxford with his wife and has two children.

After retiring from a 13 year teaching career he decided to begin writing novels after reading a crime novel during a family holiday which he felt he could have written better.

His first novel 'Last Bus To Woodstock' was published in 1975. His famous character Inspector Morse has since appeared in 13 novels and numerous short stories.

Inspector Morse was later adapted for the small screen and became a huge TV success starring John Thaw and Kevin Whately in over 30 episodes.

Morse has won several BAFTA awards and Colin Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers Association awards. In 2000 he was awarded the OBE for his services to literature.

In 1999 the character of Inspector Morse was killed off in 'The Remorseful Day' which takes its title from a favourite poem by A.E Housman. In 2002 actor John Thaw died, two years after the last episode of Inspector Morse was filmed.

Colin Dexter loves cricket, classical music and crosswords and having made many cameo appearances in Inspector Morse, finally achieved his ambition of a speaking part in 1993.