Erle Gardner was an American author and screenwriter. He was best known for his mystery novels, which often featured the character Perry Mason. He wrote over 80 novels and short stories, as well as several plays and films. He was also a prolific television writer, having written episodes for shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. He won an Edgar Award in 1959 for his novel The Case of the One-Eyed Witness.