Julian Symons (1912–1994) was a British crime writer, poet, and critic. He is best known for his mystery and detective novels, which often explore the psychology behind crimes and the social settings in which they occur. Symons was a leading figure in the crime fiction genre and served as the president of the prestigious Detection Club. His works often question the traditional conventions of the mystery genre and are praised for their complexity and character development. In addition to his fiction, Symons wrote critical works about the crime genre, including his well-regarded history "Bloody Murder: From the Detective Story to the Crime Novel." He received several awards for his contributions to the genre, including the Edgar Award and the Crime Writers' Association's Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement.