Georgette Heyer

Date of Birth: August 16, 1902

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: July 4, 1974

Biography

Georgette Heyer was an English novelist and short story writer, primarily known for her historical romance novels and detective fiction. Born on August 16, 1902, in Wimbledon, London, Heyer began her writing career at a young age, publishing her first novel, “The Black Moth,” at the age of 19 in 1921. Over the course of her career, she wrote over 50 novels, many of which were set in the Regency era, a period she meticulously researched to ensure historical accuracy. Her works are renowned for their wit, engaging characters, and intricate plots. Heyer married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer, in 1925, and the couple moved to Sussex. Despite her significant contributions to the literary world, Heyer was known for being a private person, shunning publicity and rarely giving interviews. Her detective novels, written under her own name, are often compared to the works of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.

5 Interesting Facts about Georgette Heyer

1. Georgette Heyer is often credited with establishing the historical romance genre.

2. She published her first novel, “The Black Moth,” to entertain her convalescing brother.

3. Heyer meticulously researched the Regency era, using primary sources to ensure the authenticity of her settings and details.

4. Despite her prolific output, Heyer never adapted any of her books for the screen, nor did she allow others to do so during her lifetime.

5. She was an accomplished chess player and often incorporated her strategic thinking into her novels’ plot structures.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Georgette Heyer

1. “My characters are my children, and I am a very indulgent parent.”

2. “I think one should be able to face life without needing the comfort of religion.”

3. “It is a curious thing that men who are in love with the same woman can become very interesting to each other.”

4. “It is one of the great drawbacks of living with a person that one invariably becomes fond of that person.”

5. “I have no literary aspirations. I wrote my first book for fun, and I’m still writing books for fun.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

During her peak, Georgette Heyer’s net worth was estimated to be around £100,000, a substantial sum for a writer of her time.

Children

Georgette Heyer and her husband, George Ronald Rougier, had one son named Richard Rougier. Richard went on to become a notable judge in the High Court of Justice in England.