Barbara cartland biography book

Barbara Cartland was born in Edgbaston, England on July 9, 1901, and christened as Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland. With her mother and two younger brothers, she moved to London in 1918 after her father was killed during World War I. In 1920, Cartland began writing society gossip pieces for London's Daily Express. Her first novel, Jig-Saw, was published in 1923. Barbara Cartland married Alexander McCorquodale in 1927. In 1929, the couple had a daughter, Raine, who later went on to become stepmother to the late Diana Princess of Wales. Cartland divorced McCorquodale in 1932, and in 1936 married Hugh McCorquodale, a cousin of her exhusband. Cartland has written over 600 books, mostly romance novels for women readers, and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's top-selling author. Cartland's autobiography, I Reach for the Stars: An Autobiography, was published in 1995.

By her early twenties, Barbara was providing gossip columns to newspapers and had published her first novel, ‘Jigsaw’, which was a great success and was reprinted six times. She became well-known on the London social scene as one of the ‘Bright Young People’, and threw famously glamorous parties.  Barbara married Alexander McCorquodale in 1927 after rejecting no less than 56 other proposals of marriage.

After the birth of her daughter, Raine, in 1929, Barbara continued to write novels, while providing anonymous tips, articles and columns for a variety of publications, designing successful pageants and exhibitions, and, particularly remarkably, inventing and flying the first aeroplane-towed glider in 1931. Her marriage was dissolved in 1933 and Barbara married Alexander’s cousin, Hugh McCorquodale, in 1936.

Barbara assisted her brother Ronald in his electoral campaign to become Member of Parliament for King’s Norton, Birmingham, and helped to build the first New Housing Estate, both of which were early signs of her interests in politics and in community work. Barbara and Hugh had two sons; Ian was born in 1937 and Glen in 1939. Tragedy would soon befall the family, however, as Ronald and Anthony were killed at Dunkirk on consecutive days.

Barbara sailed with her children to Canada away from the danger of invasion, but, as befitted her restless, determined nature, she felt ‘underemployed and cowardly’ there, and returned to England. She became Chief Lady Welfare Officer to the Services in Bedfordshire and became more seriously involved with politics and the war effort.

English writer and media personality (1901–2000)

Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, DStJ (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000), known as the Queen of Romance, was an English writer who published both contemporary and historical romance novels, the latter set primarily during the Victorian or Edwardian period. Cartland is one of the best-selling authors worldwide of the 20th century.

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.

Her novels have been translated from English into numerous languages, making Cartland the fifth most translated author worldwide, excluding biblical works. Her prolific output totals some 723 novels.

Although best known for her romantic novels, she also wrote non-fiction titles including biographies, plays, music, verse, drama, operettas, and several health and cook books. She also contributed advice to TV audiences and newspaper magazine articles.

She sold more than 750 million copies of her books, though other sources estimate her total sales at more than tw

Barbara Cartland: an authorised biography

Robyns, Gwen

Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 1117165

Contact seller