About
Daphne du Maurier was a British novelist and short story writer, born in London and died in Cornwall. Daughter of actor Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of writer George du Maurier, she published her first novel in 1931. Her work, often dark and Gothic, explores themes of identity, desire, and the supernatural. She is best known for her novel Rebecca (1938), adapted into film by Alfred Hitchcock, as well as her short stories 'The Birds' and 'Don't Look Now'. She lived for many years at Menabilly in Cornwall, which inspired the Manderley estate. Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969, she is a major figure in 20th-century English literature.
* 1907-05-13 — † 1989-04-19
Major works
- The Loving Spirit (1931)novel
- Jamaica Inn (1936)novel
- Rebecca (1938)novel
- My Cousin Rachel (1951)novel
- The Birds (1952)short story
Key milestones
- 1932Married Major Frederick Browning.
- 1940Rebecca adapted by Alfred Hitchcock, winning the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 1969Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Themes
Gothic and suspenseIdentity and the doubleCornwall and landscapeDesire and obsessionSupernatural and mystery
Sources: exeter.ac.uk · britannica.com · dumaurier.org