Maurier; Daphne du, 1907-1989

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989), novelist, was the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), and his wife Muriel, and the granddaughter of the artist and novelist George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (1834-1896), artist and novelist. Daphne du Maurier grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but her family developed strong links with Cornwall after buying a riverside house near Fowey, and it was in Cornwall that Daphne settled. She began publishing stories and articles in 1928; her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit', was published in 1931 by Heineman. There followed 'The Progress of Julius' (Heineman, 1933) and 'Gerald, a portrait' (Gollancz, 1934) before her first enduring success, 'Jamaica Inn', which was published by Gollancz in 1936. Two years later she published her most significant and best-loved novel, 'Rebecca'. Besides these she published a number of other novels, short-stories and biographical portraits, blending history and literary art in some, while developing her own unique vision of the macabre in others. She published one volume of autobiography, 'Growing Pains' about her early life in 1977. In 1932 she married Frederick A. M. Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters.

From the guide to the Copy Correspondence and Ephemera relating to Daphne du Maurier, 20th century, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

From the guide to the Copy letter from Daphne du Maurier to Miss Julie Leisk, 17 August 1976, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989), novelist, was the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), and his wife Muriel, and the granddaughter of the artist and novelist George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (1834-1896), artist and novelist. Daphne du Maurier grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but her family developed strong links with Cornwall after buying a riverside house near Fowey, and it was in Cornwall that Daphne settled. Du Maurier is best remembered for her most famous novels, 'Jamaica Inn' (1936) and 'Rebecca' (1938) but she began publishing stories and articles in 1928. This letter relates to her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit', which was published in 1931 by Heineman. She conducted research into the Slade family for the novel to which she added her imaginative input to construct the fiction. Du Maurier used this technique again in some of her later stories and biographical portraits.

In 1932 she married Frederick A. M. Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters.

Helen Doe is an author and maritime historian who has published widely. She is a direct descendent of the Slade family of Polruan.

From the guide to the Letter from Daphne du Maurier concerning 'The Loving Spirit' and the Slade family of Polruan, 1 April 1967, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989), novelist, was the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), and his wife Muriel, and the granddaughter of the artist and novelist George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (1834-1896). Daphne du Maurier grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but her family developed strong links with Cornwall after buying a riverside house near Fowey, and it was in Cornwall that Daphne settled. She began publishing stories and articles in 1928; her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit', was published in 1931 by Heineman. There followed 'The Progress of Julius' (Heineman, 1933) and 'Gerald, a portrait' (Gollancz, 1934) before her first enduring success, 'Jamaica Inn', which was published by Gollancz in 1936. Two years later she published her most significant and best-loved novel, 'Rebecca'. Besides these she published a number of other novels, short-stories and biographical portraits, blending history and literary art in some, while developing her own unique vision of the macabre in others. She published one volume of autobiography, 'Growing Pains' about her early life in 1977. In 1932 she married Frederick A. M. Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters.

The novel 'Rebecca' was immensely popular and made her name. Du Maurier commented in 'The Rebecca Notebook and Other Memories' (1981) that she didn't really understand why it became so popular, but that she immersed herself in the characters especially the narrator. Du Maurier continued to receive letters from all over the world concerning the plot and characterisations in the novel throughout her career.

From the guide to the Letters from Daphne du Maurier to Ivan Magee and Registrar, 1960-1968, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989), novelist, was the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), and his wife Muriel, and the granddaughter of the artist and novelist George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (1834-1896), artist and novelist. Daphne du Maurier grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but her family developed strong links with Cornwall after buying a riverside house near Fowey, and it was in Cornwall that Daphne settled. She began publishing stories and articles in 1928; her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit', was published in 1931 by Heineman. There followed 'The Progress of Julius' (Heineman, 1933) and 'Gerald, a portrait' (Gollancz, 1934) before her first enduring success, 'Jamaica Inn', which was published by Gollancz in 1936. Two years later she published her most significant and best-loved novel, 'Rebecca'. Besides these she published a number of other novels, short-stories and biographical portraits, blending history and literary art in some, while developing her own unique vision of the macabre in others. She published one volume of autobiography, 'Growing Pains' about her early life in 1977. In 1932 she married Frederick A. M. Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters.

Patrick Montague-Smith was born in 1920, the only child of Major Vernon Montague-Smith and his wife Sybil, daughter of William Bourne. He was educated at Mercers' School, and served in the RASC from 1940 to 1946, after which he joined Debrett. He published many articles and books including 'The Royal Line of Succession' (1953), 'Debrett's Correct form' (1970), 'the Country Life Book of the Royal Silver Jubilee' (1977), and 'Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother' (1985). He died in 1986.

From the guide to the Correspondence between Daphne du Maurier and Patrick Montague-Smith, 1970-1977, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))