Merlin Theodore Minshall was a British naval officer and adventurer. He is often claimed to have been one of the inspirations behind James Bond, the fictional spy created by Ian Fleming. Minshall worked for Fleming during the Second World War, as a member of the Royal Navy's Naval Intelligence Division.
Escaping from France by sea November 1940
Enkhuizen Netherlands Zuiderzee Museum ships hall with the boeier [nl] Sperwer oe owned by Merlin Minshall
Inspirations for James Bond
A number of real-life inspirations have been suggested for James Bond, the fictional character created in 1953 by British author, journalist and former Naval Intelligence officer Ian Fleming (1908–1964); Bond appeared in twelve novels and nine short stories by Fleming, as well as a number of continuation novels and twenty-six films, with seven actors playing the role of Bond.
James Bond, ornithologist; provider of Bond's name