Ian Fleming and the making of James Bond 007

One thing is sure, if there was no Ian Fleming there would not be any James Bond. Neither generations of James Bond 007 movie enthusiasts. Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908 in London, England. He worked in financial services before writing the 1953 novel Casino Royale, which featured spy character James Bond. The books were a hit, and Bond became the protagonist of a blockbuster film franchise that’s continued into the 21st century. Fleming also wrote the popular children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which also became a film. During the war, Fleming learned the ins and outs of espionage. He received a commission in the Royal Navy and worked for British Naval Intelligence. Eventually serving as the assistant to Admiral John Godfrey, the Director of Naval Intelligence, Fleming was privy to much of Britain's efforts to win the war. He traveled overseas several times, including visits to the United States to coordinate intelligence operations. He also went to Jamaica for a conference, and the island left a lasting impression on Fleming. 

James Bond Novel Collection

Ian Fleming fell in love with his wife Ann Charteris while she was still married to the second Viscount Rothermere. But she didn't remain faithful to her new husband and had a life-long affair with Hugh Gaitskell, the leader of the Labour Party. The Flemings had one son, Caspar, who lived a short and rather tragic life. After losing his father at the age of 12, Caspar took his life when he was 23.

Fleming was a keen bird-watcher and appropriated the name for his most famous creation from a leading American ornithologist. He wrote to the real Bond's wife, explaining his choice, "It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet the very masculine name was just what I needed and so a second James Bond was born." The real James Bond turned up with his wife at Goldeneye in 1964. Fleming said he was "terribly amused by the whole thing".

It has been said that much of Fleming's work in intelligence shaped and informed his James Bond novels. The character of "M," Bond's boss, is believed to have been modeled after Admiral Godfrey. The full impact of Fleming's real-life spy work on his most famous fictional figure will never likely be to known, however. He had been sworn to secrecy by the British government.

''James Bond'' The Story

Fleming's first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953. The book had been written the previous year while he was on vacation at his home, which he named Goldeneye after a military mission, in Jamaica. Fleming also got married to Anne Rothermere around this time. The couple welcomed their only child, son Caspar, in 1952. He later wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a story about a magical car, to entertain his son.

While this first Bond novel came and went with little notice, Fleming's stories of a super spy with a license to kill soon caught on. Live and Let Die came out in England in 1954 quickly followed by Moonraker and Diamonds Are Forever. Readers began eagerly scoop up these tales of fast cars, beautiful women, and deadly intrigue. American president John F. Kennedy and England's Prince Philip were reportedly among Fleming's many fans.

During his writing career, Fleming produced twelve Bond novels and several short stories featuring his super spy. He saw his famed character brought to life on the big screen in 1962's Dr. No with Sean Connery as James Bond. With the help of producer Cubby Broccoli, Fleming's creation became the central figure in one of the longest-run film franchises in movie history.
Death and Legacy

While audiences were packing movie theaters to see James Bond in action, his creator was facing health problems. He had his first serious heart attack in 1962, and he never seemed to fully recover from that incident. Fleming died on August 12, 1964, in Canterbury, England. He had been taken to a hospital there after suffering another heart attack.

Fleming may be gone, but James Bond remains a vital part of popular culture. After Sean Connery, numerous other actors, such as Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton, have taken up the legendary suave spy role. Daniel Craig played Bond in the most recent film in the series, 2012's Skyfall and more movies are in the works. It seems that audiences have an insatiable desire to immerse themselves in Bond's world of guns, girls and gadgets.

Ian Fleming's Goldeneye Estate in Jamaica

He purchased a patch of land of 15 acres (61,000 m2) adjacent to the renowned Golden Clouds estate in 1946 and built his home on the edge of a cliff overlooking a private beach.

Constructed from Fleming's sketch, the three-bedroom structure was fitted with wooden jalousie windows and a swimming pool. Fleming's visitors at Goldeneye included actors, musicians and filmmakers. The property now operates as Goldeneye Hotel and Resort, an upmarket retreat consisting of Fleming's main house and several cottages.

The estate is located in the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, established in 2011 to protect the area's marine ecosystem. It is adjacent to James Bond Beach.

You only live twice: Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face ~Ian Fleming