Philip R. Craig, a celebrated American author, achieved widespread recognition for his enthralling Martha's Vineyard mysteries. Born in Santa Monica, California, he spent his formative years on a cattle ranch near Durango, Colorado, where he developed a strong foundation for his future endeavors. In 1951, Craig enrolled at Boston University, initially intending to pursue a career in ministry, driven by a sense of devotion and a desire to serve others. After graduating with a degree in 1957, he embarked on a journey to explore the world of literature, seeking to hone his skills and find his true calling. Under the tutelage of the esteemed poet Robert Lowell, Craig studied poetry, immersing himself in the world of verse and refining his craft. However, Lowell's candid assessment of Craig's abilities left him convinced that poetry was not his true vocation, prompting him to reevaluate his goals and redirect his focus towards prose. It was during this period that Craig discovered a profound passion for writing fiction, a discovery that would ultimately shape the course of his career. Under the guidance of Gerald Warner Brace, a renowned writer and mentor, Craig developed his skills as a fiction writer, learning the intricacies of storytelling and the art of crafting compelling characters and plots.
Craig's academic journey didn't come to a halt as he embarked on a new path, taking on the roles of English and Journalism instructor at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, from 1962 to 1965, and subsequently at Wheelock College in Boston, where he remained until his retirement in the year 1999.
Throughout this period, Craig's impressive credentials earned him an invitation to join the esteemed Olympic fencing team, a remarkable opportunity that would have been a crowning achievement for many. However, fate had other plans, as a knee injury unexpectedly intervened, forcing Craig to decline the chance to participate in the Olympic games.
Despite this setback, Craig's passion for writing remained unwavering, and he devoted himself to a full-time writing career after his retirement, allowing his creative talents to flourish and make a lasting impact on the literary world.
Philip R. Craig's life was cruelly and prematurely terminated in a valiant yet ultimately unsuccessful struggle against the relentless and merciless forces of cancer on the eighth day of May, two thousand and seven.
He departed this mortal coil, leaving behind a devoted and loving spouse, Shirley, two cherished offspring, Kimberlie and James, and a brood of five precious grandchildren, who would go on to carry his memory and legacy forward.
