He is best known for his well-crafted portraits of adaptability under stress, in stories noted for their humor, suspense and attention to plot and character.

[4] He married, on 17 August 1945 in Stoke Newington, Gladys Pamela Judge.

[5] In addition to his writing, Ley was a book and art dealer and antiquarian and, from 1955 to 1968, a scientific researcher for the British government.

His success in a 1955 writing contest sponsored by The Observer led to the publication of his first book, Time Transfer, by Michael Joseph Ltd.[6] His research work inspired some of his science fiction.

Ley died of a heart attack on 24 September 1968 in Worthing, Sussex, England.