Novelist Daphne du Maurier Dies at 81

Dame Daphne du Maurier, who became one of the century’s most popular writers by mixing romance and the supernatural in “Rebecca” and other novels, died today at age 81.

The author of such popular classics as “Rebecca,” “Frenchman’s Creek” and “The Birds” died in her sleep at her home in the Cornwall village of Par, family friend Monty Baker-Munton said.

Widowed in 1965, Du Maurier had for many years lived a secluded existence on the wild Cornish coast that inspired the settings for many of her works, remaining fit enough until a few weeks ago to take her dog for daily walks at the beach.

‘Write a Novel’

She spent the better part of her life producing best-sellers in Menabilly, the family mansion on the Cornish coast where the Atlantic crashes against England.

Many of her novels were filmed, including “The Birds,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock. But she herself waited until the age of 64 before consenting to face a television interviewer.

Born in London on May 13, 1907, Daphne du Maurier was one of three daughters of the renowned actor Sir Gerald du Maurier.

She was educated by private tutors in Paris and at age 21 published her first articles and short stories. Her publisher told her: “Write a novel,” so she produced “The Loving Spirit” in 1931.

The novel captivated a young British army major and led to a storybook courtship.

The officer, Frederick A. M. Browning, resolved to meet the young woman and journeyed to Par to find her. They met in 1932 and married a few months later.

“Jamaica Inn,” her third novel, followed in 1936, and then came “Rebecca,” her most famous work. Published in 1938, it became an instant hit, was filmed starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine and was reprinted 39 times, selling more than 1 million copies in hard cover alone.

She is survived by three children, all of whom visited her the last week.