born May 13, 1907, London, Eng.
died April 19, 1989, Par, Cornwall
British novelist and playwright.
Granddaughter of George du Maurier and daughter of the actor-manager Sir Gerald Du Maurier (18731934), she is best known for the romantic gothic suspense novel Rebecca (1938), one of many successful tales set on the wild coast of Cornwall. Her other novels include Jamaica Inn (1936), Frenchman's Creek (1942), and My Cousin Rachel (1951). Her story "The Birds," like Jamaica Inn and Rebecca , was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock .