Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) was a pioneering American writer who created the hard-boiled school of detective fiction, introducing characters like Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles. Drawing on his experience as a Pinkerton detective, Hammett's novels such as The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man set new standards for realism and style in crime literature. His works had a lasting impact on both literature and film, especially in shaping the film noir genre.