John Mortimer was born in 1923 in London.
A barrister, playwright, novelist and raconteur - he is best known for his 'Rumpole of the Bailey' stories. He is also the author of numerous film scripts including Cider with Rosie and Zeffirelli's Tea with Mussolini.
His best known play is the autobiographical 'A Voyage round my Father', which was televised in 1982, with Laurence Olivier as the father, now published by Oberon to coincide with a production at the Donmar Theatre.