Margaret Irwin
Margaret Irwin was a British author born in London in 1889, known for her contributions to both fantasy and historical fiction. Educated at Clifton School and Oxford University, she began her writing career in the 1920s, producing notable fantasy novels such as *Still She Wished for Company* (1924), a time-travel story set in 1779, and *These Mortals* (1925), which delves into the life of Melusine, an enchanter's daughter exploring societal norms. Irwin's historical fiction gained prominence after winning a contest in 1930, leading her to focus primarily on this genre. Her works include notable historical novels like *Royal Flush* (1932) and *The Gay Galliard* (1941), but she is best remembered for her trilogy on Queen Elizabeth I, comprising *Young Bess* (1944), *Elizabeth: Captive Princess* (1948), and *Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain* (1953), the first of which was adapted into a film. Irwin also authored a biography of Sir Walter Raleigh, showcasing her extensive research into the Elizabethan era. She passed away on December 11, 1967, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both fantasy and historical literature.
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Margaret Irwin
Writer
- Born: 1889
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: December 11, 1967
Biography
Margaret Irwin was born in London, England, in 1889. She was educated at Clifton School in Bristol and at Oxford University. In 1929, she married an artist, John R. Monsell.
In the 1920’s, Irwin wrote two books that were praised as excellent examples of the British fantasy novels that emerged in the period directly following World War I. Still She Wished for Company (1924) is a time-travel tale about a heroine who finds herself in the world of 1779, sent there by her brother, who is searching for a woman of that period. Irwin’s skill at employing historical research to establish an air of verisimilitude would become of great use in her later career. Her second fantasy novel, These Mortals (1925), has been called a “lost classic” by its modern admirers. It tells the story of Melusine, an enchanter’s daughter who investigates how people live in a mythical medieval kingdom. She ultimately becomes disenchanted with their insincerity, which is based upon the brittle and arch mores of English society in the 1920’s. Melusine manages to find happiness by the end of the novel, but it is a limited happiness.
In 1930, Irwin’s historical novelNone So Pretty won a contest sponsored by the British publishers Chatto & Windus. From then on, she specialized in historical fiction, although a later collection of shorter works, Madame Fears the Dark: Seven Stories and a Play (1935), contains several memorable works of fantasy. Her historical novels include her favorite, Royal Flush: The Story of Minette (1932), about the sister of King Charles II; The Proud Servant: The Story of Montrose (1934); The Bride: The Story of Louise and Montrose (1939), about Princess Louise of Bohemia and James Graham, marquis of Montrose; and The Gay Galliard: The Love Story of Mary Queen of Scots (1941).
By far her most famous work was her trilogy about Queen Elizabeth I: Young Bess (1944), Elizabeth: Captive Princess (1948), and Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (1953). The first novel was made into a film of the same title starring Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger and released in 1953. Irwin’s research into the Elizabethan era also led to a biography, The Great Lucifer: A Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh (1936).
Irwin died on December 11, 1967. The appeal of her historical novels has proved lasting and satisfying, and her fantasy novels also reward those who seek them out.