(born Sept. 15, 1890, Torquay, Devon, Eng.—died Jan. 12, 1976, Wallingford, Oxfordshire) British detective novelist and playwright. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), introduced Hercule Poirot, the eccentric Belgian detective who would appear in about 25 novels. The elderly spinster Miss Jane Marple, her other principal detective figure, first appeared in Murder at the Vicarage (1930). Most of her approximately 75 novels, such as Murder on the Orient Express (1933; film, 1978), were best-sellers; translated into 100 languages, they have sold more than 100 million copies. Her plays include The Mousetrap (1952), which set a world record for longest continuous run, and Witness for the Prosecution (1953; film, 1958). She was married to the eminent archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan (1904–78).

Learn more about Christie, Dame Agatha (Mary Clarissa) with a free trial on Britannica.com.

(born Sept. 15, 1890, Torquay, Devon, Eng.—died Jan. 12, 1976, Wallingford, Oxfordshire) British detective novelist and playwright. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), introduced Hercule Poirot, the eccentric Belgian detective who would appear in about 25 novels. The elderly spinster Miss Jane Marple, her other principal detective figure, first appeared in Murder at the Vicarage (1930). Most of her approximately 75 novels, such as Murder on the Orient Express (1933; film, 1978), were best-sellers; translated into 100 languages, they have sold more than 100 million copies. Her plays include The Mousetrap (1952), which set a world record for longest continuous run, and Witness for the Prosecution (1953; film, 1958). She was married to the eminent archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan (1904–78).

Learn more about Christie, Dame Agatha (Mary Clarissa) with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Clarissa is a city in Todd County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 609 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 609 people, 256 households, and 142 families residing in the city. The population density was 617.0 people per square mile (237.5/km²). There were 292 housing units at an average density of 295.9/sq mi (113.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.03% White, 0.16% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.49% Asian, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 256 households out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 27.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 37.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 76.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,125, and the median income for a family was $38,553. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $17,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,913. About 3.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

References