D. E. Stevenson | |
---|---|
Born | Dorothy Emily Stevenson 18 November 1892 Edinburgh, Scotland |
Died | 30 December 1973 Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | (aged 81)
Nationality | Scottish |
Education | governesses |
Occupation | novelist |
Known for | 40 novels |
Spouse | James Reid Peploe |
Parent(s) | David Alan Stevenson Annie Roberts |
Dorothy Emily Stevenson (18 November 1892 – 30 December 1973) was a best-selling Scottish writer. She published more than 40 "light romantic novels"[1] over a span of more than 40 years.
Stevenson was born in Melville Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 18 November 1892. Her father was David Alan Stevenson, a lighthouse engineer and first cousin to author Robert Louis Stevenson and her mother was Annie Roberts.[2] A commemorative plaque marking the house where she spent her childhood was mounted at 14 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh in 2016.[3] She began writing at a young age but hid her efforts because her parents and governesses disapproved. Her father refused to send her to university, lest she become a bluestocking.[4]
In 1916, Stevenson married James Reid Peploe, a captain in the 6th Gurkha Rifles.[4] The Peploes had four children.[5] Her 1932 novel Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, which describes her life as a British army wife,[6] was based on her personal diary.[4]
She wrote most of her books while living in the town of Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.[4] Her novels were best-sellers, with more than seven million copies printed[3] and translations in multiple languages.[4] Her last book was published in 1969.[4]
Stevenson died in Edinburgh in 1973.[4][7] She is buried with her husband in Moffat New Cemetery.