| Admin History | Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was the second daughter of Gerald and Muriel du Maurier. She grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but the 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. Then 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. Du Maurier used both male and female narrators in her novels and her works often explored themes around gender and sexuality. Until the age of 15 she had a male alter ego, 'Eric Avon' (see 'Growing Pains', p. 59) and she often spoke privately about having a masculine side to her personality (see p. M. Forster, 'Daphne du Maurier, p. 222). During her life, Daphne du Maurier experienced attraction to both men and women, though she did not speak or write publicly about her same-sex relationships. In 1932 she married Frederick A M Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters. |