Patricia Highsmith (1920-1995) passed away on February 4, 1995 at the age of 74. Patricia was best known for her works of psychological suspense, which included works such as Strangers on a Train and her Ripley novels. Patricia was born July 19, 1920 in Fort Worth, Texas and moved with her family to New York in 1925. She graduated from Barnard College in 1942 with a degree in English. With the exception of a stint in the Army during World War II, she devoted her life to writing. In 1950, Patricia's first novel, Strangers on a Train, was made into a popular motion picture by Alfred Hitchcock. Patricia went on to write a series of novels, short stories, and plays which revealed her dark and unique view of modern civilization. Patricia enjoyed success throughout her career, including five Edgars for her mystery and crime works, and she has been cited by numerous authors as an influence on their work. Her talent for suspense and insight into the human condition have earned her the title of one of the most important crime fiction authors. Patricia will be missed by all who knew and read her work.