Author. She was an English novelist, who set most of her stories in her native Shropshire. She was much more recognized for her talent after her death. Born Mary Gladys Meredith, the daughter of a school teacher, she married a school teacher, Henry Webb, in 1912 and used her married name professionally. The couple had no children. At age twenty, she was diagnosed with an incurable thyroid disorder. She was educated at home and by attending a boarding school. Her writings described in detail the English countryside as well as developed the personalities of the characters. She became successful for her romantic works. The six novels she published during her lifetime were "The Golden Arrow" in 1916, "Gone to Earth" in 1917, "The Spring of Joy: a little book of healing" in 1917, "The House in Dormer Forest" in 1920, "Seven For A Secret: a love story" in 1922, and her masterpiece, "Precious Bane" in 1924. For "Precious Bane," she received the Prix Femina of La Vie Heureuse. In 1927 her seventh book, which was a collection of poems, was posthumously published. Her "Fifty-One Poems" appeared posthumously in 1946. She left an unfinished novel, "Armour Wherein He Trusted," which was published in 1929. After reading "Precious Bane," Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin acknowledged posthumously her talent by referring to her as a neglected genius at a Literary Fund dinner in 1928 and criticized the press for not recognizing her talent. Only then did her books begin to sell.
Author. She was an English novelist, who set most of her stories in her native Shropshire. She was much more recognized for her talent after her death. Born Mary Gladys Meredith, the daughter of a school teacher, she married a school teacher, Henry Webb, in 1912 and used her married name professionally. The couple had no children. At age twenty, she was diagnosed with an incurable thyroid disorder. She was educated at home and by attending a boarding school. Her writings described in detail the English countryside as well as developed the personalities of the characters. She became successful for her romantic works. The six novels she published during her lifetime were "The Golden Arrow" in 1916, "Gone to Earth" in 1917, "The Spring of Joy: a little book of healing" in 1917, "The House in Dormer Forest" in 1920, "Seven For A Secret: a love story" in 1922, and her masterpiece, "Precious Bane" in 1924. For "Precious Bane," she received the Prix Femina of La Vie Heureuse. In 1927 her seventh book, which was a collection of poems, was posthumously published. Her "Fifty-One Poems" appeared posthumously in 1946. She left an unfinished novel, "Armour Wherein He Trusted," which was published in 1929. After reading "Precious Bane," Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin acknowledged posthumously her talent by referring to her as a neglected genius at a Literary Fund dinner in 1928 and criticized the press for not recognizing her talent. Only then did her books begin to sell.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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