Sir Henry Lancelot Aubrey-Fletcher, 6th Baronet, who wrote under the celebrated pen name Henry Wade, was a prominent English baronet, public servant, and novelist. Born on September 10, 1887, he successfully balanced a distinguished career in public service and the military with a highly successful pursuit of crime writing. Notably, he held the military rank of Major and later served as the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire from 1954 until 1961, reflecting his active involvement in British civic and regional affairs.
Writing under his pseudonym, Wade became recognized as one of the leading authors during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. His literary reputation was largely built on his celebrated Inspector Poole series, which commenced with the publication of The Duke of York's Steps in 1929. Through these detective novels, Wade contributed significantly to the development of the classic British mystery genre, combining his understanding of formal institutions with the intricate plotting characteristic of the era's finest crime fiction. His dual identity as a high-ranking baronet and a writer of popular detective fiction allowed him a unique perspective on British society, which he channeled into his literary endeavors. He passed away on May 30, 1969, leaving behind a respected legacy in both public administration and detective literature.
