Harrington, William

Born: November 21, 1931
Died: November 8, 2000

Ohio connection: Birth

Marietta

William Harrington, son of William K. and Virginia (Pickens) Harrington, was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1931. He received an A.B. from Marietta College in 1953, an M.A. from Duke University in 1955, and a J.D. from Ohio State University in 1958. He began his career as a lawyer in private practice in Marietta, 1958-62. He then served as elections counsel in the office of the Ohio secretary of state, 1962-65; counsel to the Ohio State Bar Association, 1965-71; lawyer in private practice, Columbus, Ohio, 1971-78; and senior attorney, Mead Data Control, 1978-80. From 1980 until his death in 2000, writing was his vocation. His first marriage ended in divorce in the 1960s. He married Diana C. Fitch in 1972, and they had one son. They were divorced in 1992. Harrington`s first novel, Which the Justice, Which the Thief (1963), was written to give what he felt was a realistic portrayal of courtroom activity. He then wrote numerous legal thrillers, including TrialFor the Defense, and Town on Trial. He also published political thrillers, such as Scorpio 5. Harrington wrote a series of six “Columbo” novels, based on the television series starring Peter Falk in the 1970s. The series integrated elements of history, such as the assassination of President Kennedy, with fictional scenarios, and proved to be very popular. William Harrington died November 8, 2000, in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Awards:
Ohioana Book Award, 1967, for Yoshar the Soldier; Lit. D., Marietta College, 1986.