Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) was an English writer, biographer, and playwright born in London. Her debut novel, The Loving Spirit was published in 1931. Her fifth novel, Rebecca, published in 1938, solidified her as one of the most popular writers of the 20th century. Many of her works were adapted for the screen, including the novels Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, and the short stories, “Don’t Look Now” and “The Birds.” Du Maurier grew up and spent much of her life in Cornwall, the setting for many of her books and stories. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1969.