Leonard Cyril Deighton (/ˈdiːtən/; born 18 February 1929), known as Len Deighton, is a British author. Deighton is considered one of the top three spy novelists of his time. In addition he is a highly acclaimed military historian, cookery writer, and graphic artist. The IPCRESS File (1962), his first novel, was an instant bestseller and broke the mould of thriller writing. The Sunday Times called him "the poet of the spy story". Deighton’s first protagonist – a nameless spy christened Harry Palmer in the films – was made famous worldwide in 1960s films starring Michael Caine.
