Picture a swashbuckling American storyteller who brought the high seas to life with tales of naval adventure—meet Dewey Lambdin! Born in 1945, Lambdin was a master of nautical historical fiction, best known for his thrilling Alan Lewrie series set during the American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. With a Navy brat’s grit and a filmmaker’s flair, he spun meticulously researched yarns that plunge readers into the heart of the Age of Sail, where cannons roar and rogues revel.
The Making of Dewey Lambdin
Dewey Lambdin was born on January 26, 1945, the son of a U.S. Navy officer whose seafaring tales shaped his son’s imagination. Growing up on both U.S. coasts and overseas duty stations, Lambdin soaked up naval lore like a sponge. After attending the University of Tennessee and earning a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University in 1969, he carved out a 20-year career in television production and advertising. But when the advertising firm he worked for folded in 1988, Lambdin turned to his true passion—writing fiction. Inspired by his father’s naval legacy and his own love of sailing, he launched his literary career with a bang, introducing the roguish Alan Lewrie in The King’s Coat in 1989.
Dewey Lambdin’s Unforgettable Stories
Lambdin’s Alan Lewrie series, spanning 25 novels from 1989 to 2019, is his crowning achievement. The series follows Alan Lewrie, a rakish Londoner turned Royal Navy officer, as he navigates battles, romances, and misadventures across the American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Unlike the stoic heroes of C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower, Lewrie is a bawdy, fun-loving scoundrel—think Tom Jones with a cutlass. In The King’s Coat, Lewrie is pressed into service as a midshipman, kicking off a career of daring exploits. The French Admiral sees him at the Siege of Yorktown, while H.M.S. Cockerel pits him against a young Napoleon Bonaparte. A King’s Commander showcases his cunning as he hunts a French spymaster in Corsica.
Lambdin’s style blends meticulous historical detail with a playful, tongue-in-cheek tone. His novels brim with period slang, vivid naval battles, and colorful characters, from scheming spies to scandalous courtesans. Beyond the Lewrie series, Lambdin penned What Lies Buried: A Novel of Old Cape Fear, a standalone historical mystery set in the same era, proving his knack for weaving intrigue on land as well as sea.
Why Dewey Lambdin Matters
Dewey Lambdin carved a unique niche in nautical fiction, offering a fresh, irreverent take on a genre dominated by somber heroes. His Alan Lewrie series captivated readers with its blend of historical accuracy and roguish charm, earning praise as a worthy successor to Patrick O’Brian and C.S. Forester. Lambdin’s vivid storytelling brought the Napoleonic Wars to life, inspiring a devoted fanbase and influencing modern naval fiction. His legacy endures through his richly crafted worlds, where readers can still sail alongside Lewrie’s merry crew. Sadly, Lambdin passed away in July 2021, leaving a 26th Lewrie novel unfinished, but his tales continue to thrill new generations.
- Born: January 26, 1945
- Key Works: Alan Lewrie series, What Lies Buried
- Notable: Member of the U.S. Naval Institute and a Friend of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England
Ready to set sail with a rakish hero? Grab The King’s Coat and dive into Dewey Lambdin’s thrilling nautical adventures!