A J. Cronin 01.19.1896 - 07.19.1981 (85 years old)

A.J. Cronin (1896-1981) was a Scottish novelist, physician, and television writer. He was born on July 19, 1896, in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and died on January 6, 1981, in Montreux, Switzerland.

Cronin was a practicing physician before he turned to writing full-time, and his medical background informed much of his writing. He is best known for his novel "The Citadel", which was published in 1937. The novel tells the story of a young Welsh doctor and his experiences in the medical profession, and was a huge success, selling millions of copies and being translated into many languages.

In addition to "The Citadel", Cronin also wrote several other novels, including "Hatter's Castle" and "Three Loves". He was known for his compassionate and insightful depictions of ordinary people and their struggles, and for his vivid descriptions of the natural world.

Cronin was also active in the film and television industry, and wrote the screenplay for several films, including the adaptation of "The Citadel". He was highly regarded as a writer, and was recognized for his contribution to the literary world with several awards and honors throughout his career.