Barbara Cartland
Dame Barbara Cartland, born Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland on July 9, 1901, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, was a prominent British author known for her prolific writing career, particularly in the romance genre. As the daughter of a British army major and part of the upper middle class, Cartland faced early familial tragedies, including her father’s death in World War I, which led her mother to establish a dress shop to support the family. Educated at Malvern Girls' College and Abbey House, Cartland began her career as a journalist and gained notoriety as a gossip columnist before publishing her first novel, "Jigsaw," in 1925.
Over her lifetime, she authored over 700 books, earning her the title "Queen of Romance." Her novels often depicted the lives of the English upper class, filled with themes of adventure, love, and happy endings. In addition to her literary contributions, she was actively involved in social and political causes, advocating for various reforms and serving during World War II. Notably, she was made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in 1988 for her achievements. Cartland passed away on May 21, 2000, leaving behind a legacy that includes both her extensive literary works and her dedication to community service.
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Subject Terms
Barbara Cartland
Author
- Born: July 9, 1901
- Birthplace: Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
- Died: May 21, 2000
Biography
Dame Barbara Cartland was born Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, on July 9, 1901. She was the eldest of three children born to Bertram Cartland, a major in the British army, and Mary (Polly) Hamilton Scobell. She was their only daughter. Her brothers were Anthony and Ronald. The family belonged to the upper middle class and enjoyed the financial security of this social group until tragedy struck in the form of the death of both James Cartland, Barbara’s paternal grandfather, and of her father. James Cartland, faced with bankruptcy, committed suicide and Major Bertram Cartland was killed in Flanders in World War I. In order to support herself and her three children, Polly Cartland opened a dress shop in London. Barbara Cartland received her education at Malvern Girls’ College and at Abbey House in Hampshire. After graduation she found success in the field of journalism and became a popular gossip columnist. She published her first novel, Jigsaw, in 1925. She was the mother of three children, a daughter, Raine, born in 1929 from her marriage to Alexander McCorquodale, and two sons, Ian and Glen, from her second marriage to Hugh McCorquodale.
Throughout her life, Cartland was very active in the social and political world of upper- class English society and played an active role in social reform and in the World War II programs. In 1937 she was presented to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. She helped her brother Ronald win a seat in parliament in 1935; during the war, she became the chief lady welfare officer in Bedfordshire and county cadet officer for St. John Ambulance Brigade in Bedfordshire. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, she campaigned for better housing for the elderly, improved living conditions and schooling for gypsies and worked for better wages for midwives and nurses. She died May 21, 2000.
Cartland wrote profusely, producing over seven hundred books, mostly romance novels. She has long been recognized as the “Queen of Romance.” In her novels, she introduced readers to her world of the English upper-class and gave them adventure, love affairs and happy endings. Five of her novels have been made into movies. She also wrote five cookbooks and twenty nonfiction works, including a biography of her brother Ronald and a multi- volume autobiography. Cartland received many awards, honors and distinctions in her various field of endeavor. In 1945, she was awarded a Certificate of Merit—Eastern Command for her Wedding Dresses for Service Brides project. In 1988, she received the gold medal of the city of Paris for achievement. She was invested Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions in literature and community service in 1988. She repeatedly held the record for most books written in a single year. Her total of 733 books is the record number of books written by a British author.