The gothic novel Rebecca, published in 1938, sold nearly 3 million copies by 1965 and solidified the international standing of English author Daphne du Maurier. Born in London in 1907 to a prominent theatrical family, she crafted a prolific career across multiple genres, including novels, biographies, short stories, and screenplays, while maintaining a deeply private life in Cornwall.
Early Influences and Background
Daphne du Maurier was the middle daughter of actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and actress Muriel Beaumont. Her lineage included the novelist and Punch cartoonist George du Maurier. Growing up in London and spending summers in Fowey, Cornwall, she was exposed to the theatre world from a young age. These early experiences in Cornwall informed the settings for many of her subsequent literary works.
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Though frequently labelled a romantic novelist, du Maurier rejected the term, noting her works often lacked happy endings and contained sinister, paranormal elements. Her writing aligned more closely with 19th-century sensation fiction. She explored complex psychological landscapes, as seen in The House on the Strand, which blended 14th-century history with modern themes of mind-altering substances. Her short stories, such as The Birds and Don't Look Now, were noted for their ability to evoke terror and surprise.
Biographical Works and Family History
Beyond fiction, du Maurier produced several notable biographies and historical accounts. She documented her father's life in the work titled Gerald and explored her French Huguenot ancestry in The Glass-Blowers. In The du Mauriers, she examined her family's migration from France to England during the 19th century. Her 1954 novel Mary Anne served as a fictionalised account of her ancestor Mary Anne Clarke, who was a mistress to the Duke of York.
Legacy and Screen Adaptations
The popularity of du Maurier's narratives led to numerous high-profile film and television adaptations. Alfred Hitchcock directed cinematic versions of Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and the short story The Birds. Other works adapted for the screen included The Scapegoat, My Cousin Rachel, and Frenchman's Creek. Du Maurier received the National Book Award in 1938 and was later appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Fast facts
- Born: 1907, London
- Died: 1989, Par
- National Book Award: 1938
- The Grand Master Award: 1978
- Anthony Award: 2000
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
Where were most of Daphne du Maurier's novels set?
The majority of her works were set in Cornwall.
Which of her novels was voted a favourite in 1938?
The novel Rebecca won the National Book Award for favourite novel of 1938.
Achievements
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- National Book Award — 1938
- Notable work: Rebecca
- Notable work: My Cousin Rachel
- Notable work: Jamaica Inn
- Notable work: Frenchman's Creek
- Genres: Gothic literature