Summary
Overview
Marina Hyde and Richard Osman launch their ambitious new series chronicling the definitive story of James Bond, beginning with the fascinating life of creator Ian Fleming. From his privileged but rebellious upbringing through Eton, his gonorrhea-shortened military career, his work as a foreign correspondent and naval intelligence officer, to his scandalous affair with Anne Charteris and the writing of Casino Royale in 1952, the episode traces how Fleming's extraordinary life experiences directly shaped the creation of the world's most famous spy.
Ian Fleming's Early Years and Education
Ian Fleming was born in 1908 into British establishment wealth but became the black sheep of his family. Following his older brother Peter to Eton in 1921, he couldn't compete academically and instead cultivated wit and style. His housemaster objected to his attitude, hair oil, car ownership, and relations with women, leading to Fleming leaving Eton early. After contracting gonorrhea at Sandhurst military school, his despairing mother sent him to a finishing school in Austria run by a former British spy and his novelist wife.
- Fleming born May 1908 as son of Conservative MP, grandson of millionaire merchant banker
- At Eton, housemaster objected to his attitude, hair oil, car ownership and relations with women
- Had to leave Sandhurst after contracting gonorrhea
- Sent to Austrian finishing school run by former British spy and novelist wife in 1927 at age 19
" His housemaster objected to his attitude, hair oil, ownership of a car and relations with women. "
Reuters Career and Early Spycraft
Fleming's first job at Reuters news agency in 1929 involved mostly desk work, but he excelled when sent as foreign correspondent to Russia in 1933 to cover the Metro Vickers affair. At just 24, he stood out through clever tactics like hiring messenger boys to stand beneath courtroom windows to rush his copy to the cable shop first. He also pre-wrote all possible trial outcomes and got them pre-approved by Russian censors, ensuring his reports cleared faster than competitors.
- Got job at Reuters in 1929, initially doing desk work refiling reports
- Sent to Russia in 1933 at age 24 to cover Metro Vickers trial of British engineers
- Hired messenger boys to stand under courtroom window to rush copy to cable shop first
- Pre-wrote all possible trial outcomes and got them pre-approved by Russian censors
" He would hire messenger boys to stand underneath the courtroom window so he could just drop his finished copy down to them and then they could run to the cable shop and wire it. "
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