EDWARDS, DOROTHY (1903 - 1934), novelist

Born in 1903 at Ogmore Vale, Glamorganshire, daughter of Edward Edwards, schoolmaster. She was educated at Howell's School, Llandaff, and the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, where she graduated in Greek and Philosophy. Her chief enthusiasm was, however, for English literature.

She was the author of Rhapsody, a collection of short stories, 1927, and Winter Sonata, 1928. Winter Sonata was written in the form of a novel but it was a novel of an original kind, depending for its effect not on plot but on situations, characterization, and, above all, on 'atmosphere.' It was said by the best critics, including Gerald Gould, who described her as a genius, that Dorothy Edwards struck a new note in English literature, and she was hailed as one of the best three writers of the year. Her work reflected the influence of the Russian novelists, particularly Dostoievsky and Turgenev.

Dorothy Edwards spent most of her life in Cardiff but lived for six months in Vienna, nine months in Florence, and for some time in London. She was an accomplished singer in Russian, German, Italian, and Welsh. She was also interested in politics and was a rare combination of ardent socialist and fervent Welsh nationalist, though she could not speak the language. She took her own life (at Cardiff) on 6 January 1934.

Authors

• Harold Mostyn Watkins
• Revised by the editorial team, 2024

Sources

• Western Mail, 8 January 1934
• The Times, 9 January 1934
• personal knowledge

Further Reading

• Claire Andrea Flay-Petty, Dorothy Edwards (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru 2011)
• Wikipedia Article: Dorothy Edwards

Additional Links

• VIAF: 30993066
• Wikidata: Q5298404

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/