Daphne du Maurier:
Biography
Daphne du Maurier
(1907-1989) is one of the finest suspense authors of the 20th century. She is
best known for her novel Rebecca, the semi-gothic tribute to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Most
of her novels fall into the suspense category, some as chilling as anything
composed by Edgar Allen Poe. Du Maurier also
wrote non-fiction works lauded by both critics and fans. The relatively quiet
life of du Maurier is in strict contrast to her
fictional work
Du Maurier was born
to famous actor and theater manager, Gerald du Maurier.
Her literary heritage extends to her grandfather who was an illustrator and
writer of the novels Trilby and Peter Ibbetson.
She received an education at home with her siblings and then was sent to
Her first works were written when du Maurier was barely 21. Her first novel, The Loving
Spirit was published in 1931, when du Maurier
was 24. Du Maurier’s initial works did not receive
much notice. However, her biography of her father, Gerald: A Portrait was considered exceptional, and was noted for
being a particularly frank and honest evaluation of her father’s life. Jamaica
Inn, published in 1936, won her a reputation as a worthy novelist. In
1938, the publication of Rebecca would further amplify du Maurier’s reputation, with most considering her one of the
best novelists of her age.
Rebecca was so popular that it was immediately
considered for a screenplay. The 1940 film adaptation directed by Alfred Hitchcock, featuring Laurence Olivier and
Joan Fontaine, won him his only Oscar for best picture. It should be stated
however, that the film adaptation was not pleasing to du Maurier,
especially since the location was moved to
It is fair to say that du Maurier
never again quite approached the success of Rebecca in her writing.
However, several of her novels and short stories enjoyed immense popularity in
her lifetime, although they are now read infrequently. Several other novels and
short stories saw film adaptations, including Frenchman’s Creek, Jamaica
Inn, My Cousin Rachel, The Scapegoat, and the short
stories Don’t Look Now and The Birds. Most of the works of du
Maurier were set in her beloved
Du Maurier also wrote
many non-fiction works. She was very interested in the life of the Bronte
sisters and wrote a biography of their brother Branwell.
Perhaps her most interesting non-fiction work is The Vanishing Cornwall,
published in 1969, where she describes in loving detail her memories of
Unlike her heroines and heroes, du Maurier was happily married to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Montague Browning in 1932. The
couple had three children and no hint of trouble or scandal ever touched the
marriage, which lasted until Browning’s death in
1965. Perhaps it was this loving and beloved life that made it possible for du Maurier to write so prolifically. She published a novel,
biography, or collected short stories virtually every year. Her autobiography, published in 1977, is an
interesting evaluation of her life.
Du Maurier was
recognized by Queen Elizabeth II and named a Dame of The British Empire. When
she died in 1985, her ashes were scattered upon the
Written
by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
copyright © 2003 - 2008
http://www.wisegeek.com/who-is-daphne-du-maurier.htm
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