Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) was an English novelist, playwright, and biographer, best known for her Gothic novel Rebecca (1938), which became an instant bestseller. Born in London to actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier, she wrote romantic tales often set on the wild coast of Cornwall, where she later lived, along with historical fiction, plays, and non-fiction works tracing her family history. Her stories, adapted by Alfred Hitchcock, masterfully blended mystery, suspense, and gothic elements.