Thomas Falkland Lucius Cary (2 January 1897 – 7 April 1989), known professionally as Falkland Cary or Falkland L. Cary, was an Irish playwright, best known for his collaborations with Philip King. He abandoned a successful career as a doctor to become a professional writer.
Cary was born in Kildare, Ireland, and educated at Aldenham School and Trinity College, Dublin.[1] He trained as a doctor, and established a successful practice, first in Yorkshire and then in London. During his student days he developed a lifelong love of the theatre, and in 1946 he gave up his medical practice to concentrate on writing plays.[1]
His theatre career started modestly. Only one of his first seven plays was staged in London.[1] He sometimes wrote alone, or more often in collaboration, most frequently with Philip King. Their two most successful works were farcical comedies, Sailor Beware! (1954) and Big Bad Mouse (1966).[2] In addition to his comedies, Cary wrote stage thrillers, and original works and adaptations for television and cinema.[3] His plays were popular with amateur drama groups, and he made a substantial income in royalties from that quarter.[1]
Cary died at the age of 92. He never married.[1]