Born on this day in 1908 in London, Ian Fleming (1908–1964) dreamed up one of the most iconic characters in literature and film: James Bond, 007.

Before the fame, Fleming worked in British Naval Intelligence during World War II—experience that deeply influenced his writing.

Fleming developed strategic deception operations. One of the most famous was Operation Mincemeat, a successful British disinformation strategy that misled the Nazis about the invasion of Sicily. (This inspired spycraft in his Bond novels).

He once said, “Everything I write has a precedent in truth.”

His first Bond novel, Casino Royale, published in 1953, introduced a suave agent of action and introspection, equally at home in a tuxedo or on a perilous mission.

More than just thrillers, Fleming’s books spoke to the allure of daring, wit, and resilience. His stories reminded readers: even when the world is dangerous, we can meet it with courage, cleverness, and a shaken martini in hand.

He once said, “Writing is an escape from a world that crowds me. I can forget and live in another world.” His world-building continues to ignite imagination and style across generations.