Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (born Miller; 15 September 1890 - 12 January 1976) was an English writer. She is known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Christie also wrote the world's longest-running play, a murder mystery, The Mousetrap,and six romances under the name Mary Westmacott. In 1971 she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature.