Barbara Bishop

Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland (1901–2000) was an English writer renowned for her vast output of romance novels, primarily set in Victorian and Edwardian eras. She achieved immense global success, becoming one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century with sales estimated in the billions. Her prolific career, beginning in 1923, yielded 723 novels and numerous other works, including non-fiction, plays, and music. Many of her novels were adapted for television, and her work was translated into numerous languages, making her a highly translated author worldwide.

Beyond her literary achievements, Cartland was a prominent figure in London society, known for her flamboyant style, often appearing in pink attire and elaborate makeup. She was also a businesswoman and actively involved in civic welfare and politics, serving as a councillor and campaigning for various social reforms. Her interest extended to aviation, where she contributed to early glider designs. While primarily celebrated for her romance genre, she also explored biographies and other non-fiction topics, often focusing on historical figures and their personal lives.

Barbara Cartland's literary career commenced with her first novel, "Jigsaw" (1923), a successful society thriller. She became known for her prolific output, authoring 723 novels in total, with the 1970s and 1980s being her most productive periods. Her novels, often featuring historical settings, were characterized by their focus on beauty and the romantic genre, which she described as both "physical and spiritual." Despite accusations of plagiarism early in her career, her later works achieved significant commercial success, leading to her being recognized by Guinness World Records for the most novels written in a single year and being hailed as "the true Queen of Romance" by Vogue. Her books were widely translated and adapted into television films.

Cartland was a notable figure in London society, distinguished by her unique fashion sense, including a preference for pink and elaborate accessories. She was also actively involved in public life, serving as a councillor on Hertfordshire County Council for nine years. Her activism focused on issues such as nursing home reform, improving midwife salaries, and advocating for the education of Romani children. She was recognized for her civic contributions with an investiture as a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Her interest in aviation also led to her receiving the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her design contributions to aircraft-towed gliders.

Born into a family with fluctuating financial fortunes, Cartland's early life was shaped by the loss of her brothers in World War II and her mother's efforts to support the family. She was educated at private girls' schools. Her personal life included two marriages: first to Captain Alexander McCorquodale, with whom she had a daughter, Raine, and later to his cousin, Hugh McCorquodale, with whom she had two sons. She maintained significant friendships, notably with Lord Mountbatten, and had a complex relationship with Diana Spencer, her step-granddaughter, which included public criticism and eventual reconciliation.

“The only books Diana ever read were mine, and they weren't awfully good for her.”