Agatha Christie -- then Agatha Miller -- was born in Torquay, on the southwest coast of England, in 1890. She is seen here with her dolls, Phoebe and Rosalind, in about 1898.
Agatha Christie -- then Agatha Miller -- was born in Torquay, on the southwest coast of England, in 1890. She is seen here with her dolls, Phoebe and Rosalind, in about 1898.
The Christie Archive
She was educated at the family's home by her mother, Clara, who encouraged her to read voraciously. She is seen here (in the center) at a dance class in Torquay in about 1904.
She was educated at the family's home by her mother, Clara, who encouraged her to read voraciously. She is seen here (in the center) at a dance class in Torquay in about 1904.
The Christie Archive
In addition to being well-read, Christie was extremely well-traveled. She is seen here in Paris in 1906. In later years, she crisscrossed the globe.
In addition to being well-read, Christie was extremely well-traveled. She is seen here in Paris in 1906. In later years, she crisscrossed the globe.
The Christie Archive
Christie's only grandson, Mathew Prichard, says his grandmother was an extremely modern woman in her youth. Here she is seen (in center) rollerskating with friends on Torquay pier in about 1911.
Christie's only grandson, Mathew Prichard, says his grandmother was an extremely modern woman in her youth. Here she is seen (in center) rollerskating with friends on Torquay pier in about 1911.
The Christie Archive
Clara Miller encouraged her daughter to take up a pen when she was in her late teens and ran out of books while stuck at home with the flu. "Her mother said to her, 'Well, if you've finished reading everything, maybe you'd better write something,'" Prichard says.
Clara Miller encouraged her daughter to take up a pen when she was in her late teens and ran out of books while stuck at home with the flu. "Her mother said to her, 'Well, if you've finished reading everything, maybe you'd better write something,'" Prichard says.
The Christie Archive
During World War I, she served as a nurse. She is seen here (in the top row, third from left) with soldiers at Christmas 1914. She met her first husband, Archie Christie, a soldier and later airman, during this period.
During World War I, she served as a nurse. She is seen here (in the top row, third from left) with soldiers at Christmas 1914. She met her first husband, Archie Christie, a soldier and later airman, during this period.
The Christie Archive
In 1922, the couple went on a world tour as part of a trade delegation for the Empire Exhibition.
In 1922, the couple went on a world tour as part of a trade delegation for the Empire Exhibition.
The Christie Archive
Christie was even snapped surfing in Muizenberg, South Africa, while on the round-the-world trip.
Christie was even snapped surfing in Muizenberg, South Africa, while on the round-the-world trip.
The Christie Archive
In 1926, following the death of her mother and her husband's announcement that he had fallen in love with another woman, Christie went missing for 11 days. She was eventually traced to a spa hotel -- the Harrogate Hydro -- in northern England. She refused to discuss her "disappearance" later.
In 1926, following the death of her mother and her husband's announcement that he had fallen in love with another woman, Christie went missing for 11 days. She was eventually traced to a spa hotel -- the Harrogate Hydro -- in northern England. She refused to discuss her "disappearance" later.
The Christie Archive
In 1930, Christie was married for a second time, to the archaeologist Max Mallowan. The couple spent a lot of time traveling in the Middle East, the inspiration for her novels "Death on the Nile" and "Murder in Mesopotamia."
In 1930, Christie was married for a second time, to the archaeologist Max Mallowan. The couple spent a lot of time traveling in the Middle East, the inspiration for her novels "Death on the Nile" and "Murder in Mesopotamia."
The Christie Archive
Christie created two of the most famous literary detectives of all time: fastidious Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot -- inspired by a Belgian refugee she spotted in Torquay in about 1912 -- and elderly spinster and busybody Miss Marple, who she said "always expected the worst, of anyone and everything, and was usually proved right."
Christie created two of the most famous literary detectives of all time: fastidious Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot -- inspired by a Belgian refugee she spotted in Torquay in about 1912 -- and elderly spinster and busybody Miss Marple, who she said "always expected the worst, of anyone and everything, and was usually proved right."
The Christie Archive
Christie wrote more than 70 novels, plays and short stories. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 100 languages. Many have been adapted for TV and the movies.
Christie wrote more than 70 novels, plays and short stories. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 100 languages. Many have been adapted for TV and the movies.
The Christie Archive