Biography
The undisputed Queen Of Romance, Dame Barbara Cartland was one of the world’s most prolific authors, publishing over 720 books in her lifetime. Helping to define the romance genre, her focus on strong, independent female protagonists made novels more accessible for a whole generation of readers. Born into a well-to-do family in 1901, the family fortunes took a sharp downturn shortly after her birth due to the suicide of her grandfather. Further tragedy followed when her father was killed in World War I. Widowed and with three children to raise (Barbara’s two brothers would subsequently be killed in World War II), Barbara’s mother opened a dry goods store in London.
In 1922, Barbara worked as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express while working on her first novel; Jigsaw was published a year later and was an instant bestseller. Throughout the 1920s and ‘30s, she continued to write risque thrillers and enjoyed being a prominent member of London’s high society.
While her salacious novels were bestsellers enjoyed by millions, not all in society appreciated them: a 1926 play entitled Blood Money was banned by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, while a non-fiction guide to married life, published in the 1950s, was banned in Ireland.
As well as her banned guide, Barbara wrote several non-fiction books, including a biography of her brother (with a preface by Prime Minister Winston Churchill), a biography of Queen Cristina of Sweden and Josephine, the Empress of France. She also had an avid interest in aviation; in 1931, along with two RAF officers, she helped design the first aircraft-towed glider, and she regularly visited the Brooklands aerodrome and motor-racing circuit. In 1984, she was awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her contributions to aviation.
During the Second World War, she served in the War Office as well as with the St John Ambulance Brigade. This instilled in her an interest in civic welfare, and in 1955 was elected a councillor on Hertfordshire County Council, campaigning for nursing home reform, better salaries for midwives and for the education of Romani children. In 1991 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her literary, political and social contributions.
By the time of her death in 2000, Barbara had written 723 novels, making her one of the most prolific authors in history. Racy, raunchy and risque, but also full of traditional romance, adventure and a guaranteed happy ending, her novels have remained perennially popular for anyone in search of a bit of swoon-worthy escapism.
