Willard Huntington Wright was born on October 15, 1887, in Charlottesville, to Archibald Davenport Wright and Annie Van Vranken Wright. He embarked on a journey of higher education, attending St. Vincent College, Pomona College, and Harvard University, where he refined his knowledge and skills.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Wright also honed his artistic talents, studying art in Munich and Paris. This apprenticeship ultimately led to a lucrative career as a literary and art critic for the Los Angeles Times.
Wright's impressive credentials and expertise in the literary world landed him the esteemed position of editor for the renowned New York literary magazine, "The Smart Set," from 1912 to 1914. He continued to write as a critic and journalist until 1923, when his relentless work ethic took a toll on his health.
Forced to bed rest due to a heart ailment, Wright found solace in collecting thousands of volumes of crime and detection literature. This newfound passion eventually bore fruit in 1926 with the publication of his debut novel, "The Benson Murder Case," written under the pseudonym S.S. Van Dine.
The success of his novel led to the creation of the iconic aristocratic amateur sleuth, Philo Vance, who shared Wright's love of aesthetics. The character's popularity skyrocketed, and Wright's fortunes changed dramatically. He moved into a luxurious penthouse and indulged in his newfound wealth, adopting a lifestyle reminiscent of his elegant fictional counterpart, Philo Vance.
