Biography
Ernest Tidyman was an American author, journalist and screenwriter. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he worked as a crime reporter and journalist for newspapers including the New York Post and The New York Times before becoming a freelance writer.
He wrote the novels featuring detective John Shaft and the screenplays for Shaft (1971) and The French Connection (1971). His screenplay for the latter won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as a Golden Globe, a Writers Guild of America Award and an Edgar Award. He also wrote the screenplay for High Plains Drifter (1973).
Tidyman received Emmy nominations for his teleplays for Dummy (1979) and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980). He died in London in 1984.
