Eleanor Hibbert (1906–93,) born Eleanor Alice Burford, was an English novelist known for her prolific career, publishing over 200 books under various pseudonyms and selling more than 100 million copies worldwide.
Born in Canning Town, London, she discovered her fascination with history during a visit to Hampton Court as a teenager. After marriage, financial independence allowed her to pursue writing. Inspired by London’s landmarks and royal figures, she enriched her novels through regular visits to British historic homes. Later, she embarked on annual world cruises to Turkey, Egypt, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Ceylon, and Australia—exotic locales featured in her Victoria Holt novels.
Hibbert wrote historical fiction, gothic romance, and family sagas. As Jean Plaidy, she crafted narratives on European royalty, including The Catherine de Medici Trilogy and The French Revolution Series. As Victoria Holt, she popularized gothic romance with Mistress of Mellyn (1960) and The Shivering Sands (1969.) As Philippa Carr, she created multi-generational family sagas like The Miracle at St. Bruno’s (1972.) Mistress of Mellyn helped revive gothic romance.
A disciplined writer, she produced multiple books annually, becoming one of Britain’s most borrowed authors in libraries.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Eleanor Hibbert
Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.
—Eleanor Hibbert
Topics: Disappointment, Regret, Experience, Remorse
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