Cynthia Stockley facts for kids

Cynthia Stockley (born Lilian Julian Webb, 7 July 1873 – 15 January 1936) was a famous South African writer. She was known for her exciting romance novels. These stories were often set in Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe) and South Africa. Cynthia was an adopted name she used for her writing.

About Cynthia Stockley

Cynthia Stockley was born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State. Her mother, Mary Ann Webb, came from Ireland. Her father, Abel Arthur Webb, came from England.

Cynthia's mother passed away when Cynthia was only two years old. Her father later remarried. Cynthia grew up with her four siblings, her step-mother, and two half-siblings. She went to St. Michael's School, Bloemfontein. After school, she moved to live with her sister in Mashonaland.

In 1895, she married Philip Stockley in Salisbury (now Harare). Philip was a member of the British South Africa Police. They moved to Umtali (now Mutare). Their daughter, Dorothy, was born there in 1896.

Cynthia and Philip separated later in 1896. Cynthia wanted to work as a journalist and writer. She later married Joseph Byrne, an Irish doctor from New York. Their son, Patrick, was born in New York in 1905.

Cynthia also worked as an actress. She bought a farm in Rhodesia and a house in Norfolk, England. In 1916, she married Harold Pelham Browne. He was an officer in the British army.

Cynthia Stockley passed away in London in January 1936. She is buried in Sheringham, Norfolk.

Her Books

Cynthia Stockley wrote 16 books during her life. Here are some of her well-known novels:

• Virginia of the Rhodesians, London: Hutchinson 1903
• Poppy: the Story of a South African Girl, London: Hurst and Blackett 1909
• The Claw, London: Hurst and Blackett 1911
• The Dream Ship [Wanderfoot in America], London: Hurst and Blackett 1913
• Blue Aloes: Stories of South Africa, London: Hutchinson 1918
• Ponjola, London: Constable 1923
• Tagati, London: Constable 1930

Her Books on Film

When silent films became popular, several of Cynthia Stockley's books were made into movies.

• Poppy (1917)
• The Claw (1918)
• Wild Honey (1922)
• Ponjola (1923)
• The Female (1924)
• The Claw (1927)