Georges Simenon

Belgian-French novelist, whose prolific output included more than 400 novels, 84 detective novels, 100 psychological novels, and numerous articles, short stories and novellas. His books sold more than 600 million copies in 57 languages and spawned many movies. He is probably best known for his "Inspector Maigret" character who appeared in 75 detective novels. Some of his chief works include the "Patience of Maigret," 1940, and "Maigret Hesitates," 1970. Among his psychological novels are Stain in the Snow," 1938, and "The Cat," 1976.

He was allegedly born George Sim (though this may have been another pseudonym of the 17 that he used) into a poor family in Liege, Belgium, and became a newspaper reporter in 1919, just one month shy of his 16th birthday. As a young reporter, he prowled the corridors of police stations and courthouses, frequenting nightclubs and prostitutes in equal part. At age 17 he had his own column, and published his first novel just before he turned 18. By age 29, he had turned out 277 books.

At age 20, Simenon married Regine Renchon, with whom he had a son. She worked full time as his secretary and assistant. Shortly after the marriage, Simenon hired Henriette Liberge, and what pursued was both a working and physical relationship; she took charge of both the kitchen and the household. (Accounts do not relate how Simenon’s wife felt about this arrangement.)

He lived in France through World War II. His relationship with the German censors had made him enormously wealthy. When the war ended, and his behavior was suddenly becoming a liability, he moved his entourage to the United States, where he met Denyse Ouimet and began an intense affair. Simenon divorced Regine but supported her and their child only under the condition that she live close to him and Denyse. His neighbors in Lakeville, Connecticut, where they settled, were shocked.