Matthew Scudder is a fictional character created by author Lawrence Block. He is a former New York City police detective who becomes a private investigator. Scudder is known for his tough demeanor and moral complexity, often grappling with his past and the darker aspects of human nature. The character first appeared in the novel The Sins of the Fathers in 1976 and has since featured in numerous books, making him a prominent figure in the crime fiction genre. Scudder's stories often explore themes of redemption, justice, and the struggles of living a principled life in a flawed world.