The letter was written in response to a request by Helen Doe for information on the Slades of Polruan. Doe later went on to research the history of the family and publish her book 'Jane Slade of Polruan'. The letter shows the inspiration for both characters and the structure of du Maurier's first published novel.
Letter from Daphne du Maurier concerning 'The Loving Spirit' and the Slade family of Polruan
This material is held atUniversity of Exeter Archives
- Reference
- GB 29 EUL MS 341
- Dates of Creation
- 1 April 1967
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 2 items
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989), novelist, was the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (1873-1934), and his wife Muriel, and the granddaughter of the artist and novelist George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (1834-1896), artist and novelist. Daphne du Maurier grew up in Cumberland Terrace, London, and Cannon Hall, Hampstead, but her family developed strong links with Cornwall after buying a riverside house near Fowey, and it was in Cornwall that Daphne settled. Du Maurier is best remembered for her most famous novels, 'Jamaica Inn' (1936) and 'Rebecca' (1938) but she began publishing stories and articles in 1928. This letter relates to her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit', which was published in 1931 by Heineman. She conducted research into the Slade family for the novel to which she added her imaginative input to construct the fiction. Du Maurier used this technique again in some of her later stories and biographical portraits.
In 1932 she married Frederick A. M. Browning, later Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick (d 1965); they had one son and two daughters.
Helen Doe is an author and maritime historian who has published widely. She is a direct descendent of the Slade family of Polruan.
Access Information
Usual EUL arrangements apply.
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Helen Doe.
Other Finding Aids
None. 2 items only.
Archivist's Note
Catalogued by Christine Faunch, Archivist, 2 July 2008.
Conditions Governing Use
Usual EUL restrictions apply.
Accruals
None expected