Barbara Cartland

NAME Barbara Cartland

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Barbara Cartland was renowned as the "Queen of Romance," a prolific author of romantic novels, primarily set in the Victorian or Edwardian era.

BIRTH Barbara Cartland was born on July 9, 1901, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Born into upper-middle-class comfort, Barbara Cartland's family faced financial difficulties shortly after her birth. Her paternal grandfather, James Cartland, committed suicide after a bankruptcy, which Barbara later cited as the reason for their financial decline. Her father died in World War I, leaving her mother to open a dry goods store in London to support the family.

CHILDHOOD Cartland's early life was marked by loss and financial struggle. Her father's death in World War I and her grandfather's suicide created a challenging environment for her mother, who had to raise Cartland and her two brothers alone. Both of her brothers later died in battle in 1940.

EDUCATION Barbara Cartland was educated at private girls' schools, including The Alice Ottley School, Malvern Girls' College, and Abbey House in Hampshire. Her education was typical of upper-middle-class girls of her time, emphasizing refinement and social graces.

CAREER RECORD Cartland began her career as a society reporter in 1922, quickly transitioning to writing romantic fiction. Her first novel, Jigsaw (1923), was a bestseller, and she continued to write prolifically throughout her life, finishing a book every two to three weeks. Her works were inspired by the novels of Elinor Glyn, whom she idolized and befriended. In addition to her novels, she wrote plays, biographies, and even a guide to married life.

APPEARANCE Barbara Cartland was known for her distinctive appearance, often seen in trademark pink dresses, plumed hats, and heavy makeup. She cultivated a glamorous and theatrical image that became as famous as her novels.

Cartland in 1987 by Allan Warren - Wikipedia

FASHION Cartland was synonymous with a flamboyant and feminine style, often wearing pink and adorned with jewels.

She was one of the first clients of designer Norman Hartnell and remained a client until his death in 1979. 

Her presentation and wedding dresses were particularly notable, though she admitted her wedding dress was a failure despite being made to her own design.

CHARACTER Cartland was a complex character, embodying both traditional and modern values. She believed in the ideals of love and morality, which were central to her writing. However, she was also known for her strong opinions, particularly on social and political matters, and her desire for admiration and worship, as she once famously stated in 1977.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Cartland had a sharp wit and a sense of humor that often came through in her public appearances and interviews. She could be self-deprecating and was not afraid to poke fun at herself and her persona. One example is when she famously said, "I have always maintained that I am the best thing that ever happened to romance, except for possibly cholera, which has done more to reunite lovers than I ever could."

RELATIONSHIPS Cartland was engaged multiple times, breaking off her first engagement upon learning about sexual intercourse. She declined 49 marriage proposals before marrying Captain Alexander "Sachie" George McCorquodale, a British Army officer from Scotland and heir to a printing fortune on April 23, 1927. They had one child, a daughter Raine Spencer, who was the stepmother of Princess Diana. Their divorce in 1933 involved charges and counter charges of infidelity,

Cartland married her ex-husband's cousin, Hugh McCorquodale, on December 28, 1936 and they stayed together until his death in 1963.

Cartland maintained a long friendship with Lord Mountbatten of Burma and had a complicated relationship with her step-granddaughter, Princess Diana.

MONEY AND FAME Barbara Cartland's fame and fortune were immense. By the 1970s and 1980s, she was the world's top-selling author, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records. Her prolific output and global sales brought her significant wealth and a place in popular culture.

FOOD AND DRINK Cartland enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and was known to appreciate fine dining.

MUSIC AND ARTS Cartland had a deep appreciation for the arts, particularly music. She recorded an album of love songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1978 and wrote lyrics for a radio operetta during World War II.

LITERATURE Barbara Cartland was a literary powerhouse, inspired by Edwardian novelist Elinor Glyn. Despite accusations of plagiarism by Georgette Heyer in the 1950s, Cartland's novels remained highly successful, and she continued to publish at an astonishing rate throughout her life.

Barbara Cartland, that indomitable figure of English literature, was the undisputed Queen of Romance—a title she wore as comfortably as her signature pink chiffon gowns. Her output was nothing short of Herculean, a staggering 723 novels, most of which she managed to churn out while reclining on a sofa, dictating to a secretary with the kind of ease most of us reserve for ordering a cup of tea.

Cartland was a fixture in the literary world of the 20th century, with her novels—largely set in the Victorian and Edwardian periods—finding their way into the hands of millions, or perhaps billions, depending on whose numbers you trust. Some say she sold 750 million copies, while others, possibly more excitable, put the figure at over two billion. Either way, her books have been translated into just about every language under the sun, making her the fifth most translated author globally.

Her novels, often graced with portrait-style covers by Francis Marshall, were so wildly popular that they practically begged to be turned into television movies. Titles like A Hazard of Hearts, A Ghost in Monte Carlo, and Duel of Hearts kept fans swooning in front of their screens just as they had on the page.

But Barbara Cartland was more than just the doyenne of romance. She was a one-woman literary industry. Besides her love stories, she penned biographies, plays, verse, operettas, and even a few health and cookbooks. If you were looking for advice on anything from love to liver pâté, Cartland was your woman.

NATURE She enjoyed the beauty of nature and often incorporated natural settings into her novels.

PETS Cartland's love for animals was evident in her life and often reflected in her writing. Her stories frequently featured loyal and endearing animal characters, adding depth and warmth to her romantic narratives.

Dogs were undoubtedly Barbara Cartland's favorite companions.  She was particularly fond of Pekingese, often seen by her side, and considered them almost a trademark of her image. She often wrote about them and even had a novel titled The Prince and the Pekingese. Two of her most famous Pekingese were Twi-Twi and Mwi-Mwi.   

While Pekingese were her favorites, Cartland also owned other breeds throughout her life, including a black Labrador named Dickie.

Cartland also had one cat. This was a unique exception in a life filled with canine companions. The cat, named Flumbo, was a blue Persian and was said to be quite the character, even managing to intimidate the usually fearless Pekingese

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Writing was her primary focus, but she also enjoyed socializing and attending social events.

Cartland had a keen interest in gliding, and in 1931, she helped design the first aircraft-towed airmail delivery glider. She also frequented Brooklands aerodrome and motor-racing circuit during the 1920s and 30s.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Barbara Cartland held traditional views on morality, love, and marriage, which she often expressed in her novels and public speeches. She was a vocal advocate for the importance of prayer in schools and was opposed to infidelity and divorce.

POLITICS Cartland served as a Conservative councillor on Hertfordshire County Council from 1955 to 1964. She campaigned for various social reforms, including nursing home reform, midwives' salaries, and the education of Romani children.

SCANDAL Cartland's life was not without scandal. Her first marriage ended in a contentious divorce with accusations of infidelity. She also faced a plagiarism accusation from fellow author Georgette Heyer. Despite these controversies, Cartland maintained her public image as a defender of traditional values.

MILITARY RECORD Cartland's contributions to the war effort during World War II were significant. She was deeply involved in charitable work through the War Office and the St John Ambulance Brigade, earning recognition for her service.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Cartland maintained an active and vibrant lifestyle well into her later years. Her longevity and energy were remarkable, allowing her to continue writing and appearing in public well into her 90s.

HOMES Cartland lived in several homes throughout her life, reflecting her social standing and wealth. Her homes were likely well-appointed and in keeping with her glamorous public image.

TRAVEL Cartland traveled extensively, both for pleasure and research for her novels. Her travels often inspired the exotic settings and historical contexts of her stories.

DEATH Barbara Cartland passed away on May 21, 2000, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, at the age of 98. Her death marked the end of an era in romantic fiction, and she left behind a legacy as one of the most prolific authors in history.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Barbara Cartland was a fixture in popular media, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. She appeared on television frequently, discussing topics ranging from romance to politics. Her distinctive style and outspoken views made her a media favorite.

Many of her novels have been adapted into films for television including A Hazard of Hearts, A Ghost in Monte Carlo and Duel of Hearts.

ACHIEVEMENTS Barbara Cartland's achievements are unparalleled in the world of romantic fiction. She published 723 novels, and sold nearly a billion copies, making her the third best selling fiction author ever behind William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. She was awarded the Médaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris in 1988 and was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1991 for her contributions to literature, politics, and social causes. Her legacy as the "Queen of Romance" endures to this day.