Daphne du Maurier

NAME Daphne du Maurier

WHAT FAMOUS FOR  Novelist, short story writer, and playwright, best known for her atmospheric and suspenseful works such as Rebecca, The Birds, and Jamaica Inn.

BIRTH Daphne du Maurier was born on May 13, 1907, in London, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND She was the middle of three daughters of the prominent actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and actress Muriel Beaumont. Her grandfather was the famous illustrator and writer George du Maurier, best known for the novel Trilby. She grew up in a highly artistic and literary environment, which greatly influenced her storytelling.

CHILDHOOD Daphne du Maurier's childhood, though outwardly privileged, was a complex mix of theatrical glamour and personal unease. The family resided in Cannon Hall, a spacious Hampstead residence with high ceilings and expansive windows overlooking Regent's Park. Despite the luxurious setting, du Maurier's most cherished memories centered on the nursery, where she and her sisters spent their early years under the care of nannies.

Du Maurier's upbringing was steeped in theatrical influences and creative expression.  From a young age, she was immersed in the world of theatre and celebrity, frequently attending performances and interacting with notable figures like J.M. Barrie.  A precocious reader, she devoured adventure stories and biblical tales, often enacting characters with her sisters.  Her vivid imagination led her to constantly role-play, a trait her father attributed to her "always acting."

However, du Maurier's childhood also presented challenges.  She felt awkward in social situations and yearned for solitude, finding the constant entertaining and social engagements overwhelming.  There was also a subtle sense of disappointment from her parents at the birth of yet another daughter instead of a son.  These childhood experiences, including her love of make-believe and her keen observations of the world, would later significantly shape her writing career. (1)

EDUCATION Daphne's education was somewhat sporadic, with a variety of schools and governesses, before attending a finishing school in France. Her time in France broadened her literary horizons and further nurtured her writing ambitions.

CAREER RECORD  Daphne du Maurier’s literary career took off with her first novel, The Loving Spirit (1931), which caught the attention of her future husband. She achieved major success with Jamaica Inn (1936), followed by Rebecca (1938), which became her most famous work. She continued to write novels, biographies, and short stories throughout her life, receiving the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1969 for her contributions to literature.

APPEARANCE Du Maurier was described as having curls that stood out from her face. She was known to have cut her hair short at some point, which caused some controversy. The shorter hairstyle was reportedly more practical for her activities like riding and sailing.

Du Maurier, c. 1930

In her later years, during an interview in her mid-sixties, she was described as having a "clipped diction betraying her wealthy roots" and a "wicked twinkle in her eye." (2)

FASHION She had a practical yet elegant sense of style, often favoring simple, tailored clothing. She was known for preferring trousers, which was considered unconventional for women at the time, and she frequently wore blouses and jackets in muted tones.

CHARACTER Du Maurier was intensely private, independent, and somewhat reclusive. She was known for her sharp intelligence, wit, and determination. Her personality was complex—at times reserved and distant, yet deeply passionate about her work and personal interests. She had a deep love for Cornwall, which she considered her true home.

SPEAKING VOICE Daphne du Maurier's speaking voice was described as having a "clipped diction betraying her wealthy roots". This manner of speech reflects her upbringing in the privileged upper classes of early 20th century England.

It's worth noting that du Maurier was known for her skill as a "superb ventriloquist" in her writing, able to convincingly portray different characters' voices.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Daphne du Maurier had a sharp, often dark sense of humour. She could be playful in her writing and personal life, sometimes using irony to critique the social circles she moved in. Her wit also shone through in her letters, where she often made self-deprecating jokes about fame, writing, and family life.

RELATIONSHIPS Daphne du Maurier married Major Frederick Browning (known as Tommy 'Boy' Browning) on July 19, 1932, at St Wyllow Church, also known as Lanteglos Church, near Fowey in Cornwall.

The wedding was a small, intimate affair, taking place early in the morning. The couple and their small wedding party traveled to the church by boat, departing from Ferryside (du Maurier's family home) at 8 am to catch the tide. They sailed up Pont Creek, disembarked at the head of the creek, and then walked through the woods to reach the church. (3)

Their marriage was complex; while they had a deep respect for each other, it was also marked by emotional distance. 

Daphne also had intense emotional connections with women, including actress Gertrude Lawrence, though the exact nature of these relationships remains a topic of speculation.

MONEY AND FAME Despite becoming one of the most famous British novelists of her time, Daphne du Maurier was uncomfortable with celebrity culture. She preferred a reclusive lifestyle in Cornwall, away from the literary scene. Financially, she was successful, especially after the huge popularity of Rebecca (1938), but she often downplayed her achievements and disliked being in the public eye.

FOOD AND DRINK Du Maurier was known to chain-smoke and chew mints while writing. Fox's Glacier Mints were her favorite writing sweets, kept in a small dish next to her typewriter4.

Tea was a significant part of Du Maurier's life and works, as reflected in the elaborate tea scenes she described in her novel Rebecca. 

Du Maurier appeared on the BBC Radio 4 program Desert Island Discs where guests choose their favorite luxury: She chose whisky and ginger ale

Du Maurier wrote extensively about food, particularly elaborate meals and tea-time spreads. Her descriptions of food in her novels often served to enhance characterization and setting 

WRITING CAREER Daphne du Maurier’s writing career stretched from the early 1930s to the late 1980s, producing an impressive range of novels, short stories, biographies, plays, and a few rather haunting tales that would make even the most hardened reader think twice about creaky staircases at night.

Like many writers, du Maurier benefited from well-placed family connections. Her great uncle had a magazine called Bystander, and, in a move that must have seemed very convenient to her at the time, he published some of her early work. Then, in 1931, she published her first novel, The Loving Spirit, which did well enough to convince her that putting words on paper might be a decent way to spend her life. It also managed to attract the attention of her future husband, which is a useful side effect of writing a novel if you can manage it.

Her biggest success was, of course, Rebecca (published on August 5, 1938), a book so widely read that for a time it was entirely possible to meet strangers at parties who would just sigh dramatically and say, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” instead of bothering with small talk. Between 1938 and 1965, it sold nearly 3 million copies, which is an excellent result for a book about a timid woman living in a creepy house with a rather brooding husband and a housekeeper who really needed to take up yoga or deep breathing.

Front cover of the first printing of the novel Rebecca

Other major hits included:

Jamaica Inn (1936) – Smugglers, secrets, and the kind of place where you definitely shouldn’t book a weekend getaway.

Frenchman’s Creek (1941) – A dashing pirate, a bored noblewoman, and Cornwall looking annoyingly picturesque again.

My Cousin Rachel (1951) – Is she a charming widow or a murderous schemer? A question readers still argue about over tea.

The Scapegoat (1957) – A classic case of mistaken identity, but with du Maurier’s signature dark twist.

The House on the Strand (1969) – Time travel, drug-induced visions, and medieval intrigue. Because why not?

Calling du Maurier a novelist is a bit like calling the Atlantic Ocean “a bit wet.” She wrote:

Seventeen novels, each more unsettling than the last.

Short stories, including The Birds, which became a Hitchcock film about how terrifying seagulls can be.

Biographies, including one about Branwell Brontë, the least famous of the Brontë siblings.

Plays, because why not add theater to the list?

Autobiographical works, because after writing about everyone else, she might as well write about herself too.

For reasons that remain baffling, some people labeled du Maurier a “romantic novelist,” a term that must have made her want to throw a teacup across the room. Yes, there was love in her books, but there were also ghosts, murder, madness, and an overwhelming sense of doom—hardly the stuff of fluffy romance. 

Du Maurier kept writing well into her later years, publishing an autobiography (Growing Pains, 1977) and a final collection of short stories (The Rendezvous and Other Stories, 1980). Her last novel, Rule Britannia (1972), was a sharp political satire, proving that even in her later years, she wasn’t about to settle down into writing pleasant little stories about garden parties.

Despite early critical sneers, her books remained wildly popular, and today, they are considered classics. Her ability to build atmosphere, craft suspense, and make readers look suspiciously at their own housekeepers ensures that her legacy is as enduring as Manderley itself.

MUSIC AND ARTS She had a deep appreciation for music, particularly classical compositions. Her family had artistic roots—her father, Sir Gerald du Maurier, was a well-known actor, and her grandfather, George du Maurier, was a celebrated illustrator and novelist. These artistic influences shaped her dramatic, highly visual storytelling style.

When Du Maurier appeared on the BBC Radio 4 program Desert Island Discs where guests choose their favourite track, she chose "Spartacus" by Aram Khachaturian.

LITERATURE Du Maurier was an avid reader, particularly enjoying the works of Katherine Mansfield, which greatly influenced her own writing

She was influenced by the Brontës, particularly Charlotte and Emily, whose Gothic romanticism inspired her own atmospheric novels. 

Du Maurier was also fascinated by history, often weaving real historical events and figures into her fiction, such as in The Glass-Blowers, which was based on her own French ancestry.

NATURE Cornwall was her greatest inspiration, and the wild landscapes of the county feature prominently in her novels. She loved the rugged coastline, the moors, and the ever-changing sea, which became almost a character in works like Jamaica Inn and Rebecca. Her home, Menabilly, was hidden in the woods and offered her solitude and a deep connection with nature.

PETS Du Maurier was fond of animals, particularly dogs. She kept them at her Cornwall home and often took long walks with them along the cliffs. Her love for animals extended to her writing, where she frequently described them with affection and insight.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS An avid walker, du Maurier enjoyed hiking through the Cornish countryside. 

She enjoyed gardening and often dressed casually to engage in this activity

She also loved sailing and spent much of her time on the water, an interest that found its way into Frenchman’s Creek, which features a pirate and a passionate love affair. 

Du Maurier also had a keen interest in history, often researching obsessively for her novels.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Du Maurier had a curious mind and was interested in the psychology of her characters. Her novel The House on the Strand explores elements of time travel through the use of a mysterious drug, showing her willingness to engage with scientific concepts in her storytelling.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Daphne du Maurier was deeply introspective and often explored themes of identity, fate, and morality in her work. She was fascinated by the idea of duality—good versus evil, reality versus illusion—which is evident in novels like Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel. 

While du Maurier was not overtly religious, she had a spiritual connection to nature, particularly the wild Cornish landscapes that inspired much of her writing.

POLITICS Du Maurier largely avoided political involvement, preferring the solitude of her writing life. However, she was fiercely independent and held progressive views on gender roles, often challenging traditional expectations of women in both her fiction and personal life. Her strong-willed female characters, such as the narrator in Rebecca, reflect her belief in resilience and self-determination.

SCANDAL Two authors accused Daphne du Maurier of plagiarism. Brazilian writer Carolina Nabuco claimed Rebecca was similar to her novel A Sucessora (1934), though no legal action was taken. Later, Edwina MacDonald alleged The Birds was based on her work, but this too was dismissed. Despite these controversies, Du Maurier maintained her innocence, attributing any similarities to coincidence.

MILITARY RECORD While Daphne du Maurier herself did not serve in the military, her husband, Lieutenant General Frederick ‘Boy’ Browning, played a significant role in World War II. He was a key strategist behind Operation Market Garden and famously warned that it might be ‘a bridge too far.’ His military career brought both prestige and strain to their marriage, as his long absences and wartime pressures created emotional distance between them.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Du Maurier was physically active for much of her life, enjoying long walks along the Cornish cliffs and sailing in the waters near her home. However, as she aged, she experienced declining health, including issues with mobility. Despite this, she continued writing well into her later years.

HOMES Cornwall held a special place in Daphne du Maurier's heart, and several homes there played significant roles in her life and work.  Ferryside, in Bodinnick-by-Fowey, was the family's first Cornish residence.  Originally a 19th-century boatyard and quayside, the du Mauriers purchased it in 1926.  It was at Ferryside that du Maurier penned her first novel, The Loving Spirit, published in 1931, and the house instilled in her a deep love for Cornwall and a sense of freedom.  Ferryside's historical significance was recognized in 2017 when it received Grade II listed status.  Today, it remains the home of du Maurier's son, Kits Browning.

Menabilly, near Gribbin Head, became du Maurier's family home for 26 years.  Leased from the Rashleigh family, they moved in for Christmas 1943.  This grand house served as the inspiration for the iconic Manderley in her masterpiece, Rebecca.  Menabilly held a lifelong fascination for du Maurier, and her family resided there until 1969 when the lease expired.

Menabilly house in Fowey, 

Following their departure from Menabilly, du Maurier moved to Kilmarth, also rented from the Rashleigh family.  Located about a mile from Menabilly, Kilmarth became her home after her husband's death in 1965 and remained her final residence in Cornwall.  These Cornish homes provided du Maurier with both inspiration for her writing and a profound connection to the region that endured throughout her life.

TRAVEL Though Du Maurier loved the isolation of Cornwall, she also traveled widely. She visited France, where she explored her family’s roots, and the United States, where she was met with great literary acclaim. However, she often felt most at peace in the English countryside, preferring the familiar landscapes that fueled her imagination.

DEATH Daphne du Maurier died on April 19, 1989, at the age of 81. She passed away in her sleep from heart failure at her home in Par, Cornwall. This home, called Kilmarth, was where du Maurier had lived since 1969 after leaving Menabilly

In the months leading up to her death, du Maurier's health had been declining. In early 1989, she reportedly refused to eat, taking only liquids, which some interpreted as her willing her own death.

As per du Maurier's wishes, there was no memorial service. Her family held a private memorial at Tregaminion Church, which was originally part of the Menabilly estate and served as the Rashleigh family chapel.

Following her death, du Maurier's body was cremated in private. Her ashes were then scattered on the cliffs near her Kilmarth home, a fitting final resting place given her deep connection to the Cornish landscape that had inspired much of her writing throughout her life.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Daphne du Maurier wasn’t exactly the kind of writer who craved the limelight—she much preferred the company of her characters to that of journalists. But despite her avoidance of publicity, her works have had a lasting impact on film, television, and radio, ensuring her name remained firmly in the public eye.

1. Film Adaptations  If there’s one director who truly appreciated du Maurier’s knack for psychological suspense, it was Alfred Hitchcock. He adapted three of her works into films:

Jamaica Inn (1939) – Starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara, this one deviated quite a bit from the novel, which du Maurier was none too pleased about.

Rebecca (1940) – The crown jewel of du Maurier adaptations, this won an Academy Award for Best Picture. Joan Fontaine played the nervous Mrs. de Winter, and Laurence Olivier brooded magnificently as Maxim.

The Birds (1963) – Inspired by her short story, this took the simple idea of birds behaving badly and turned it into one of the most terrifying films of all time.

Other notable film adaptations include:

Frenchman’s Creek (1944) – A swashbuckling romance starring Joan Fontaine (again!) and Arturo de Córdova.

My Cousin Rachel (1952) – Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton starred in this gothic tale of paranoia and obsession.

The Scapegoat (1959) – Alec Guinness played both roles in this doppelgänger mystery.

Don’t Look Now (1973) – A chilling adaptation of her short story starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland. If The Birds didn’t already convince you that du Maurier knew how to unnerve people, this one surely did.

2. Television Du Maurier’s works have been adapted for television multiple times, including BBC miniseries of Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and My Cousin Rachel. Some of these were praised for staying true to her atmospheric style, while others… well, let’s just say critics had a field day.

3. Personal Appearances  Du Maurier herself rarely made media appearances. She was famously private and found interviews tedious, preferring to let her books do the talking. When she did give interviews, she was often sharp, witty, and refreshingly blunt—never one to suffer fools gladly. She also despised being labeled a “romantic novelist” and took great pleasure in correcting anyone who made that mistake.

Though she wasn’t one for self-promotion, her books and their adaptations have ensured that she remains an enduring presence in popular culture—whether she liked it or not!

ACHIEVEMENTS Daphne du Maurier’s literary career spanned more than five decades, making her one of the most celebrated British authors of the 20th century.

She was awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America in 1978 and was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1969. 

Her novels continue to captivate readers, with Rebecca remaining one of the most enduring classics of modern literature.

Sources (1) Return Of A Native, (2) A Corner of Cornwall (3) Fowey Harbour Heritage Society