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Biographical and Bibliographical note on Georgette
Heyer
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Georgette Heyer was born
on 16th August 1902 at Wimbledon,
London. She was the eldest of three
children and the only girl, her
brothers being Boris and Frank.
It was as a story for her brother
Boris that she first wrote The Black
Moth. Her father, George Heyer,
impressed with his daughter's imagination,
suggested that she prepare it to
be published, which it was by Constable
in 1921 when she was only nineteen.
She continued writing and in
1925 she married Ronald Rougier,
a mining engineer. After reasonable
but not spectacular sales from her
first few books the instant success
of These Old Shades in 1926 brought
her a solid source of income which
was very necessary at the time,
her father having died shortly before
her wedding and her youngest brother
needing financial support for his
education.
In 1927 she joined her husband
in Tanganyika where he was working
and later went with him to Macedonia
'where she nearly died of an erratically
administered anaesthetic in a dentist's
chair' (PWGH).
By 1929 they were back in London.
The success of These Old Shades
had permitted Ronald Rougier to
give up his mining work which he
had never enjoyed. This success
also prompted Heinemann to buy up
and republish Georgette Heyer's
earlier novels.
After Ronald had an unsuccessful
venture in London, he and Georgette
moved to Horsham in Sussex where
in 1932 her son, Richard was born.
Georgette Heyer was continuing to
write and had started on a new genre,
detective novels, in addition to
her historical output. Her husband,
eventually disatisfied with his
new venture in Horsham and with
the encouragement of his wife, started
studying to be a barrister.
In 1939, after several more novels,
Ronald had qualified for the bar
with the need to be within easy
reach of London the family moved
to a service flat in Hove. Richard's
education at private school was
not cheap and as a junior barrister
does not earn the fees of a more
senior one, the family continued
to rely to a large extent on the
income from Georgette Heyer's writing.
In 1942 they moved back to London,
to chambers in the Albany which
was to become their home for 24
years. Efforts to satisfy the tax
authorities were to plague her for
many years as the harsh rules then
applying in a war-torn Britain,
and even long after the war, took
their toll but when her husband
became a QC in 1959 and it must
have taken some of the pressure
off her.
Georgette Heyer's relationship
with her publisher, Heinemann, had
always been personal and soon after
the Managing Director A. S. Frere
left she moved to The Bodley Head.
Her output of historical novels
continued but she was now 60 and
her own health was starting to be
a little erratic. More tax problems
loomed and the income from her new
American publishers, Duttons, must
have been welcome.
In 1966, when the lease expired
on their rooms at The Albany they
moved to a flat in Jermyn Street,
London. Books continued to be written
but the flow was stemmed by deteriorating
health and she died on 4th July,
1974.
The above brief chronology is
almost entirely derived from Jane
Aiken Hodge's 'The Private World
of Georgette Heyer', a biography
and detailed account of the background
to her novels.
Further resources
Eileen Kendall runs a mailing list for Georgette Heyer enthusiasts as
well as an information site as a Companion to the List
Laurie
Osborne has a site with many examples of Georgette Heyer artwork
Sally Houghton
owns Georgette-Heyer.com - an information site with numerous further
information links
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List of the UK works of Georgette Heyer in date order
Original works
The Black Moth
First issue date: 1921
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 18th Century
Publisher: Constable, London
Notes: Later re-issued by Heinemann in 1929 but the earlier publishing history by Constable is not credited in Heinemann issues,
US Publisher: Houghton Mifflin |
Title page from 1st UK Constable edition |
The Great Roxhythe
First issue date: 1923
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 17th Century
Publisher: Hutchinson, London
Notes: Later re-issued by Heinemann in 1929 but then suppressed by the author (ref: PWGH p24)
US Publisher: Small Maynard, 1923 |
UK Heinemann uniform edition style but believed only issued in Australia |
Powder and Patch (originally The Transformation of Philip Jettan)
First issue date: 1923
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Mills and Boon, London
Notes: Author Stella Martin (pseud) - later re-issued by Heinemann in 1930 and renamed Powder and Patch and with the original final chapter deleted (ref: PWGH p25),
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1938 (Dutton, New York, 1968) |
UK uniform edition |
Instead of the Thorn
First issue date: 1923
Genre/Series: Contemporary fiction novel
Publisher: Hutchinson, London
Notes: Dedicated to girlhood friend Joanna Cannan. Re-issued by Longman 1929, suppressed by the author in later years (ref: PWGH p18),
US Publisher: Small Maynard, 1924 |
From promotional blurb on dustwrapper of another Longman's title |
Simon the Coldheart
First issue date: 1925
Genre/Series: Historical novel - early 15th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: Suppressed by the author in later years (ref: PWGH p24) but re-issued in 1978 after her death with a new foreword by her son,
US Publisher: Small Maynard, 1925 |
UK 1929 reprint |
These Old Shades
First issue date: 1926
Genre/Series: Historical novel - mid 18th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: The first instantly popular novel which established her as an author
US Publisher: Small Maynard (Dutton, New York, 1966) |
UK 1929 reprint |
Helen
First issue date: 1928
Genre/Series: Contemporary fiction novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Suppressed by the author in later years (ref: PWGH p18)
US Publisher: Longmans, New York |
From promotional blurb on dustwrapper of another Longman's title |
The Masqueraders
First issue date: 1928
Genre/Series: Historical novel - mid 18th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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UK uniform edition |
Beauvallet
First issue date: 1929
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 16th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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UK 1940 reprint |
Pastel
First issue date: 1929
Genre/Series: Contemporary fiction novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Suppressed by the author in later years (ref: PWGH p18)
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From promotional blurb on dustwrapper of another Longman's title |
Barren Corn
First issue date: 1930
Genre/Series: Contemporary fiction novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Suppressed by the author in later years (ref: PWGH p18)
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From promotional blurb on dustwrapper of another Longman's title |
The Conqueror
First issue date: 1931
Genre/Series: Historical novel - 11th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1966 |
UK uniform edition |
Devil's Cub
First issue date: 1932
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 18th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1966 |
UK uniform edition |
Footsteps in the Dark
First issue date: 1932
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes:
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1980's UK paperback |
Why Shoot a Butler?
First issue date: 1933
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1966,
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1976 |
1980's UK paperback |
The Convenient Marriage
First issue date: 1934
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1966 |
UK uniform edition |
The Unfinished Clue
First issue date: 1934
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1966
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1970 |
Heinemann issue |
Death in the Stocks
First issue date: 1935
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Longman, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann 1952
US Title (If different): Merely Murder
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York (In original UK title by Dutton, New York, 1970) |
Longman's 1936 reprint |
Regency Buck
First issue date: 1935
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, 1966 |
UK uniform edition |
Behold, Here's Poison
First issue date: 1936
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1953
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1936 |
1980's UK paperback |
The Talisman Ring
First issue date: 1936
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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UK uniform edition |
An Infamous Army
First issue date: 1937
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: Includes what is regarded as one of the best researched accounts in fiction or non-fiction of the Battle of Waterloo (ref: PWGH p52)
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1938 |
1st UK edition |
They Found Him Dead
First issue date: 1937
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1952
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Heinemann issue |
A Blunt Instrument
First issue date: 1938
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1954
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1940 |
Heinemann edition reprint |
Royal Escape
First issue date: 1938
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 17th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1939 |
UK uniform edition |
No Wind of Blame
First issue date: 1939
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann 1952
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1939 (Dutton, New York, 1970) |
Heinemann reprint |
The Spanish Bride
First issue date: 1940
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1965 |
UK uniform edition |
The Corinthian
First issue date: 1940
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Title (If different): Beau Wyndham
US Publisher: Doubleday (in original UK title by Dutton, 1966) |
UK uniform edition |
Envious Casca
First issue date: 1941
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: Re-issued by Heinemann, 1955
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1941 |
1960's UK paperback |
Faro's Daughter
First issue date: 1941
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1942 |
UK uniform edition |
Penhallow
First issue date: 1942
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: The rationing of paper and printing inks as a result of wartime restrictions meant that this and subsequent titles appeared in plain jackets and on poor quality paper
US Publisher: Doubleday Doran, New York, 1943 (Dutton, New York, 1971) |
1st UK edition |
Friday's Child
First issue date: 1944
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1946 |
UK uniform edition |
The Reluctant Widow
First issue date: 1946
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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1st UK edition |
The Foundling
First issue date: 1948
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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UK uniform edition |
Arabella
First issue date: 1949
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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1st UK edition |
The Grand Sophy
First issue date: 1950
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1950 |
UK uniform edition |
Duplicate Death
First issue date: 1951
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1969 |
1975 UK paperback edition |
The Quiet Gentleman
First issue date: 1951
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1951 |
1st UK edition |
Cotillion
First issue date: 1953
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1953 |
1st UK edition |
Detection Unlimited
First issue date: 1953
Genre/Series: Crime novel
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1969 |
UK 1st edition |
The Toll-Gate
First issue date: 1954
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1954 |
UK uniform edition |
Bath Tangle
First issue date: 1955
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1955 |
1st UK edition |
Sprig Muslin
First issue date: 1956
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1956 |
UK uniform edition |
April Lady
First issue date: 1957
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: The proof copy of the first edition was issued and dated 1956 on verso title
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1957 |
1st UK edition |
Sylvester: or The Wicked Uncle
First issue date: 1957
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1957 |
1st UK edition |
Venetia
First issue date: 1958
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1958 |
1st UK edition |
The Unknown Ajax
First issue date: 1959
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
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1st UK edition |
Pistols for Two
First issue date: 1960
Genre/Series: Regency fiction, 11 short stories
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes: Contents: Pistols for Two; A Clandestine Affair (1st appearance); Bath Miss; Pink Domino; A Husband for Fanny; To Have the Honour; Night at the Inn; The Duel; Hazard; Snowdrift; Full Moon
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1964 |
1st UK edition |
A Civil Contract
First issue date: 1961
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Putnam, New York, 1961 |
1st UK edition |
The Nonesuch
First issue date: 1962
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Heinemann, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1963 |
1st UK edition |
False Colours
First issue date: 1963
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1964 |
1st UK edition |
Frederica
First issue date: 1965
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1965 |
1st UK edition |
Black Sheep
First issue date: 1966
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1967 |
1st UK edition |
Cousin Kate
First issue date: 1968
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1968 |
1st UK edition |
Charity Girl
First issue date: 1970
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1970 |
1st UK edition |
Lady of Quality
First issue date: 1972
Genre/Series: Regency novel - early 19th Century
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1972 |
1st UK edition |
My Lord John
First issue date: 1975
Genre/Series: Historical novel - late 14th/early 15th Centuries
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes:
US Publisher: Dutton, New York, 1975 |
1st UK edition |
Pursuit (in The Queens Book of the Red Cross)
First issue date: 1939
Genre/Series: Regency fiction, short story
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
Notes: This book was a fund raising volume for nursing charities published shortly after the outbreak of WW2, of stories and illustrations by many popular authors and artists of the day and includes an otherwise unpublished Georgette Heyer short story
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1st UK edition |
Related works - NOT exclusively UK
The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge
First issue date: 1984
Genre/Series: Biography
Publisher: Bodley Head, London
Notes: A comprehensive illustrated biography of the author
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1st UK edition |
Georgette Heyer's Regency England by Teresa Chris
First issue date: 1989
Genre/Series: Bibliographical history
Publisher: Sidgwick and Jackson, London
Notes: An account of the buildings and customs of London, Bath, etc. with frequent references to Georgette Heyer's novels and characters, illustrated by Arthur Barbosa
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1st UK edition |
The Regency Companion by Sharon Laudermil and Teresa Hamlin
First issue date: 1989
Genre/Series: Regency Social History
Publisher: Garland Publishing, New York
Notes: Obliquely related but a wealth of Regency information. Contains: The London Season; The Fashionable Lady; The Fashionable Gentleman; Romance, Courtship and Marriage; How They Played; How They Lived; The Rest of the Year; The Horse; The Real World and the Real People; A Dictionary Guide to Rude and Vulgar Slang and Cant
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Only known edition (US) |
Georgette Heyer: A Critical Retrospective by Mary Fahnestock-Thomas
First issue date: 2001
Genre/Series: Criticism plus
Publisher: Prinny World Press, Alabama
Notes: Compilation of book reviews (dating from 1921-1989), articles, movie and theater reviews about Heyer's work plus 3 short stories and 3 essays written by Georgette Heyer which have never before been published in the U.S.
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US edition |
Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester
First issue date: 2005
Genre/Series: Regency Social History
Publisher: William Heinemann, London
Notes: A guide to Georgette Heyer's social world, how her heroes, heroinnes and villains ate, drank, dressed and socialized, and the world around them
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1st UK edition |
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end of list:
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