Barbara Cartland


Barbara Cartland

Cartland in 1987
Cartland in 1987
BornMary Barbara Hamilton Cartland
(1901-07-09)9 July 1901
Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
Died21 May 2000(2000-05-21) (aged 98)
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England
Resting placeHatfield, Hertfordshire, England
OccupationNovelist
Period1925–2000
GenreHistorical Romance, contemporary romance
Spouse
Alexander McCorquodale
(m. 1927; div. 1933)
Hugh McCorquodale
(m. 1936; died 1963)
ChildrenRaine Spencer, Countess Spencer
Ian Hamilton McCorquodale (1937–2023)[1]
Glen McCorquodale (b. 1939)
RelativesDiana, Princess of Wales (step-granddaughter)

Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, DStJ (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000) was an English writer, known as the Queen of Romance, 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[2] and Duel of Hearts.[3]

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

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.[6]

She sold more than 750 million copies of her books,[6] though other sources estimate her total sales at more than two billion.[7] The covers of her novels featured portrait-style artwork, usually designed by Francis Marshall (1901–1980).[8]

Cartland was also a businesswoman who was head of Cartland Promotions. She was a London society figure, often dressed in a pink chiffon gown, a plumed hat, blonde wig, and heavy make-up.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference TT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "A Ghost in Monte Carlo".[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "BARBARA CARTLAND NOVEL BECOMES FILM". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 81463578.
  4. ^ "49 most-translated authors from the world".[dead link]
  5. ^ McCorquodale, Ian (2017). "Welcome to the romantic world of Barbara Cartland". BarbaraCartland.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017. During her long career, my mother, Barbara Cartland wrote an incredible 723 books, which were translated into 38 languages, making her the most prolific author of the 20th Century.
  6. ^ a b c "Dame Barbara Cartland". The Daily Telegraph. London. 22 May 2000. Archived from the original on 30 March 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Final Curtain Calls". CBS News. 20 December 2000.
  8. ^ "Today's Inspiration – Francis Marshall". 7 September 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2018.