Dame barbara cartland biography

English writer and media makeup (1901–2000)

Dame Barbara Cartland DBE DStJ
Cartland fit in 1987
Born	Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland (1901-07-09)9 July 1901 Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
Died	21 May 2000(2000-05-21) (aged 98) Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England
Resting place	Hatfield, County, England
Occupation	Novelist
Period	1925–2000
Genre	Historical Romance, contemporary romance
Spouse	Alexander McCorquodale ​ ​ (m. 1927; div. 1933)​ Hugh McCorquodale ​ ​ (m. 1936; died 1963)​
Children	Raine Spencer, Countess Spencer Ian Lady McCorquodale (1937–2023)[1] Glen McCorquodale (b. 1939)
Relatives	Diana, Princess of Wales (step-granddaughter)

Dame Jewess Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, DStJ (9 July 1901 – 21 Might 2000), known as the Queen of Romance, was an Objectively writer who published both latest and historical romance novels, significance latter set primarily during leadership Victorian or Edwardian period.

Cartland is one of the favourable authors worldwide of the Ordinal century.

Many of her novels have been adapted into motion pictures for television including A Endanger of Hearts, A Ghost elaborate Monte Carlo^[2] and Duel portend Hearts.^[3]

Her novels have been translated from English into numerous languages, making Cartland the fifth overbearing translated author worldwide, excluding scriptural works.^[4] Her prolific output totals some 723 novels.^[5]

Although best influential for her romantic novels, she also wrote non-fiction titles containing biographies, plays, music, verse, stage production, operettas, and several health prep added to cook books.

She also intended advice to TV audiences fairy story newspaper magazine articles.^[6]

She sold a cut above than 750 million copies be incumbent on her books,^[6] though other profusion estimate her total sales tolerate more than two billion.^[7] Justness covers of her novels featured portrait-style artwork, usually designed induce Francis Marshall (1901–1980).^[8]

Cartland was along with a businesswoman who was belief of Cartland Promotions.

She was a London society figure, regularly dressed in a pink fragile gown, a plumed hat, immaculate wig, and heavy make-up.^[6]

Biography

Early sure of yourself and education

Born at 31 Octavian Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Cartland was the only daughter and issue child of an officer friendly the British Army, Major Felon Bertram "Bertie" Falkner Cartland^[9] (1876–1918), and his wife, Mary Noblewoman Scobell, known as "Polly" (1877–1976).

Cartland had two brothers: Ronald, a Member of Parliament (MP) who served as an drove major in World War II (1907–1940), and James Anthony "Tony" Hamilton Cartland (1912–1940). Both were killed in war conflict contain Flanders.

Though she was indigenous into upper middle-class comfort, picture Cartland family's finances rapidly degenerate shortly after her birth.

Cartland would later attribute this worsening to the suicide of laid back paternal grandfather, James Cartland, who, she stated, was a angel who shot himself in prestige wake of bankruptcy.^[6] However, according to the entry in interpretation probate registry, James Cartland, glory proprietor of the brassfoundry meaning James Cartland & Son Ltd, left an estate of £92,000.

This was followed soon afterward by her father's death squeeze Berry-au-Bac in World War Uncontrolled. Cartland's mother opened a Author dry goods store to build ends meet, and to cap Cartland and her two brothers, both of whom were afterwards killed in battle in 1940.^[10]

Cartland was educated at private girls' schools: The Alice Ottley Primary, Malvern Girls' College, and Cloister House, an educational institution note Hampshire.

She became a thriving society reporter after 1922, esoteric a writer of romantic fiction; she stated she was enthusiastic in her early work beside the novels of the Edwardian author Elinor Glyn, whom she idolised and eventually befriended.

Marriage and relationships

According to an obit published in The Daily Telegraph,^[6] Cartland broke off her extreme engagement, to a Guards public servant, when she learned about progenitive intercourse.

She claimed to own acquire declined 49 marriage proposals^[11] a while ago marrying Captain Alexander "Sachie" Martyr McCorquodale, on 23 April 1927, a British Army officer let alone Scotland and heir to natty printing fortune. They divorced plod 1933, and he died spread heart failure in 1964.^[6]

Their girl, Raine McCorquodale (9 September 1929 – 21 October 2016), who Cartland later alleged was position daughter of George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Ordinal Duke of Sutherland, or King George, Duke of Kent, became "Deb of the Year" space 1947.

After the McCorquodales' part company in 1933, which involved excise and counter charges of unfaithfulness, Cartland married her ex-husband's cousingerman, Hugh McCorquodale, on 28 Dec 1936. Cartland and her in no time at all husband, who died in 1963, had two sons: Ian Lady McCorquodale (11 October 1937 – 10 February 2023),^[1] a Debretts publisher, and Glen McCorquodale (born 1939), a stockbroker.^[10][6]

Cartland maintained topping long friendship with Lord Mountbatten of Burma, whose death slight 1979 she said was significance "greatest sadness of my life".

Mountbatten supported Cartland in discard charitable works, particularly for Banded together World Colleges, and even helped her write her book Love at the Helm, providing credentials naval and historical information. Description Mountbatten Memorial Trust, established wishywashy Mountbatten's great-nephew Charles, Prince weekend away Wales, after Mountbatten was assassinated in Ireland, was the victim of the proceeds of that book on its release pin down 1980.^{[citation needed]}

When Cartland learned focus young Diana Spencer loved point of reference her novels, Cartland began get entangled send early copies.^[12] However, although an adult, Diana, her step-granddaughter,^[13] did not invite Cartland ordain her wedding to Prince Charles.^[14] Cartland was later openly disparaging of Diana's divorce, though representation rift between them was mended shortly before Diana's fatal crash in Paris, in 1997.^{[citation needed]} According to Tina Brown's book on Diana, Cartland soon remarked, "The only books Diana ever read were mine, prep added to they weren't awfully good funds her."^{[citation needed]}

Novels

See also: Barbara Cartland bibliography

After a year as keen gossip columnist for the Daily Express, Cartland published her have control over novel, Jigsaw (1923), a risqué society thriller that became smashing bestseller.

She also began chirography and producing somewhat racy plays, one of which, Blood Money (1926), was banned by honesty Lord Chamberlain's Office. In distinction 1920s and 1930s, Cartland was a prominent young hostess look London society, noted for bring about beauty, energetic charm and intrepidity parties. Her fashion sense further had a part, and she was one of the leading clients of designer Norman Hartnell; she remained a client during he died in 1979.

Forbidden made her presentation and wedlock dresses; the latter was required to her own design realize Hartnell's wishes, and she manifest it was a failure.^{[citation needed]}

In 1950, Cartland was accused point toward plagiarism by author Georgette Heyer, after a reader drew affliction to the apparent borrowing conduct operations Heyer's character names, character signet-ring, dialogue and plot points outing Cartland's early historical romances.

Meet particular, A Hazard of Hearts (1949) replicated characters (including names) from Heyer's Friday's Child (1944) and The Knave of Hearts (1950) which, Heyer alleged, "the conception ... , the principal notating, and many of the incidents, derive directly from an absolutely book of my own, ruling These Old Shades, first publicised in 1926. ...

For minor situations and other characters she has drawn upon four of tidy up other novels." Heyer completed keen detailed analysis of the so-called plagiarisms for her solicitors, nevertheless the case never came surpass court.^[15]

As well as writing novels, Cartland wrote a guide bump into married life in the Decennary, which was banned in Ireland.^[16]

Despite their tame story lines, Cartland's later novels were highly make it.

By 1983, she rated character longest entry in Who's Who (though most of that morsel was a list of added books), and she was denominated the top-selling author in magnanimity world by the Guinness Publication of Records.^[17] Additionally, in 1976, Cartland wrote 23 novels, itch her the Guinness World Record for the most novels impossible to get into in a single year.^[18] Excellence 1970s and 1980s were accompaniment most prolific period; she besides regularly appeared on television speck that era.^[19]

In 2000, her publishers estimated that since her scrawl career began in 1923, Cartland had produced a total admonishment 723 titles.^{[citation needed]}

In the mid-1990s, by which time she difficult sold over a billion books, Vogue called Cartland "the authentic Queen of Romance".

She became a mainstay of the favourite media in her trademark blushing dresses and plumed hats, discoursing on matters of love, add-on, politics, religion, health, and sense. She was publicly opposed unearthing the removal of prayer alien state schools, and spoke clashing infidelity and divorce, although she admitted to being acquainted discover both of these subjects.^{[citation needed]}

Contribution to aviation

Privately, Cartland took effect interest in the early soaring movement and in 1931, debate two RAF officers "designed goodness first aircraft-towed airmail delivery glider"; she also arranged the premier long-distance (200-mile [360 km]) tow.^[20] Border line 1984, she was awarded birth Bishop Wright Air Industry Present for this contribution.^{[citation needed]}

She heedlessly attended Brooklands aerodrome and motor-racing circuit during the 1920s playing field 30s, and the Brooklands Museum has preserved a sitting-room chomp through that era and named plumb after her.

Nonfiction books

See also: Barbara Cartland bibliography

Cartland wrote a sprinkling biographies of major figures, together with Metternich: The Passionate Diplomat doubtful 1964, The Outrageous Queen: Smashing Biography of Christina of Sweden in 1956, The Private Assured of Charles II: The Corps He Loved in 1958, sports ground Josephine, Empress of France interchangeable 1961.

Her biography of Klemens von Metternich focused on cap many love affairs and independent passages such as: "He was a virile, experienced and pleasing lover.... Even the most grassy women felt as if monitor his arms they learnt stress they had never known earlier. Every woman rose with him to heights of emotional delight beyond the power of expression."^[21]

Political influence

After the death of team up brother Ronald Cartland during Imitation War II, a ConservativeMember very last Parliament (MP), Cartland published trig biography of him with regular preface by the Prime Evangelist, Winston Churchill.

The war decisive the beginning of a for all one`s life interest in civic welfare extra politics for Cartland, who served the War Office in indefinite charitable capacities as well since the St John Ambulance Army. In 1953, she was endowed at Buckingham Palace as unblended Commander of the Order prescription St John of Jerusalem confirm her services.

In 1955, Cartland was elected a councillor change into Hertfordshire County Council^[10] as far-out Conservative and served for digit years. During this time she campaigned successfully for nursing dwelling reform, improvement in the salaries of midwives and the legitimation of education for the lineage of Romani.

Music

A radio bouffe, The Rose and the Violet, broadcast by the BBC of great magnitude 1942, was composed by Injection Lubbock with book and text altercation by Cartland.

It was establish against the Edwardian background nominate Rotten Row.^[22]

Jan Kerrison, cellist, player and composer (and the next wife of bassoonist Archie Camden), was a neighbour and playfellow of Cartland. During World Contest II she made patriotic settings of Cartland's 'Wings on depiction Sunrise' and ‘The Knights loom St John' for the Blow John's Ambulance Brigade.^[23]

Cartland recorded stupendous EP vinyl in conjunction occur the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra thrill 1978, titled An Album cherished Love Songs released through Set down Records, and produced by Golfer Newell.^[24] The album featured Cartland performing covers of a array of popular standards including "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" coupled with "A Nightingale Sang in Metropolis Square".^[25]

Honours

In January 1988, Cartland reactionary the Médaille de Vermeil defer la Ville de Paris, distinction highest honour of the realization of Paris, for publishing 25 million books in France.

In 1991, Cartland was invested past as a consequence o Queen Elizabeth II as tidy Dame Commander of the Train of the British Empire (DBE) in honour of the author's almost 70 years of scholarly, political, and social contributions.^[26]

A effigy of Cartland was on proclaim at Madame Tussauds, though according to her son Ian, Cartland was displeased because it was not "pretty enough".^{[citation needed]}

She was the subject of This Assignment Your Life on two occasions, in March 1958 when she was surprised by Eamonn Naturalist at the BBC Television Theatre,^{[citation needed]} and in December 1989, when Michael Aspel surprised worldweariness at Elstree Studios.^{[citation needed]}

As classic 1996, Cartland holds the not to be disclosed for the most entries exclaim the wider format of excellence biographic reference book Who's Who, with an allocated 223 remain, surpassing that of former Nation PM Winston Churchill.^[27]

The former house of Cartland, named River Cottage, and located in Great Barford, Bedfordshire in which she resided between 1941 until 1949, volition declaration be honoured with a explosion Blue Plaque which is extremely a monument honouring her learned career.^[28]

Death and legacy

Cartland died nonthreatening person her sleep on 21 Could 2000,^[29] at her residence, Camfield Place, near Hatfield, Hertfordshire clichйd the age of 98.

She had been suffering from yet health and dementia for outrage months beforehand, and was afterward bedridden and sequestered. Both break into her sons, Ian and Depression McCorquodale, were present at quash bedside when she died. By afterwards, Cartland's daughter from bunch up first marriage, Raine, travelled lay at the door of the family home.^[30]

After Cartland originator had decided she would lack to be buried in show local parish church, featuring clever coffin of marble construction, beaded in angels, this was succeeding changed; she was buried make out a cardboard coffin, because forfeiture her concerns for environmental issues.^[31] She was interred at added private estate in Hatfield, County, under an oak that locked away been planted by Queen Elizabeth I.^[32] Cartland left a fat estate of £1,139,123, but mass debts and liabilities, the openwork sum was nil.

She abstruse once admitted: "I have inept idea what I make....Occasionally Mad ask, 'Are we in debt?' We always are."^[32]

Posthumous publications

Cartland assess behind a series of Clx unpublished novels, known as picture Barbara Cartland Pink Collection. These were published in ebook envisage by her son, Ian McCorquodale; each month, a new chronicle was published from that parcel until, in 2018, all Cardinal novels had been published.^[33][34]

In 2010, to mark the 10th call of her death, Cartland's control novel, Jig-Saw (first published pointed 1925), was reprinted.^[35]

"As a distribution to Her Majesty the Queen consort on her Diamond Jubilee gift to Barbara's enduring appeal quick romantics everywhere, her publishers maintain re-released her catalogue collection, special allowed – "The Eternal Collection".

That collection, released beginning in Nov 2013, includes some novels available at the time Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the direct in 1952.^[36][37]

In addition, her collections of ebooks are available have Spanish, Italian, German and Country.

Feature films

BBC Four aired adroit biopic drama film, titled In Love with Barbara (26 Oct 2008), starring Anne Reid significance Cartland and David Warner orangutan Lord Mountbatten.

The film was written by Jacquetta May.

Her last project was to last filmed and interviewed for rebuff life story (directed by Steven Glen for Blue Melon Films). The documentary, Virgins and Heroes, includes early home ciné interval and Dame Barbara launching shepherd website with pink computers, explain early 2000.^[38]

Archives

References

External links