E. M. Delafield
E. M. Delafield, born Edmee Elizabeth Monica de la Pasture Dashwood in 1890 in Sussex, England, was a notable British author known for her engaging novels that often explored the intricacies of relationships and personal experiences. After marrying Paul Dashwood in 1919 and having two children, she contributed to society through medical work during World War I and served as the director of the magazine Time and Tide. Delafield gained significant popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly for her semiautobiographical Provincial Lady series, which reflects her observations of life and motherhood. Her debut novel, published in 1917, marked the beginning of her literary career, continuing the narrative traditions established by her mother. One of her most famous works, "Messalina of the Suburbs" (1924), is inspired by a real London murder case, showcasing her ability to weave societal issues into compelling storytelling. Additionally, "Diary of a Provincial Lady" (1930) offers a humorous yet poignant look at the life of an aristocratic woman managing her household during the economic challenges of the Great Depression. Delafield’s works resonate with readers for their relatable characters and insightful commentary on everyday life.
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Subject Terms
E. M. Delafield
Writer
- Born: June 9, 1890
- Birthplace: Sussex, England
- Died: December 2, 1943
- Place of death: Cullompton, Devonshire, England
Biography
Edmee Elizabeth Monica de la Pasture Dashwood, who wrote as E. M. Delafield, was born in 1890 in Sussex, England, to count Henri de La Pasture and Elizabeth Lydia Rosabelle. She married Paul Dashwood in 1919 and had two children. Her career included medical work during World War I and work as the director of Time and Tide. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Delafield became popular in Britain and the United States as the author of several popular novels, particularly her semiautobiographical Provincial Lady series. Her first novel, published in 1917, continued her mother’s novelistic ventures. Delafield focused on the ups and downs of relationships between parents and children and offered advice on rearing and educating children. Her enormously popular Messalina of the Suburbs (1924) centers on an infamous 1922 London murder case. In it, protagonist Elsie Palmer marries a man she doesn’t love and consequently takes a lover who, without her knowledge, murders her husband. Her Diary of a Provincial Lady (1930) concerns a member of the nobility who runs her country home in an extremely frugal manner during the Depression.