Cynthia Asquith

Cynthia Asquith (1887-1960) was a British writer and literary editor known for her ghost stories, diaries, and her role as secretary to J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. During her career, she edited several influential supernatural fiction anthologies including "The Ghost Book" (1926) and "When Churchyards Yawn" (1931), which featured works by established authors of the genre. Her own supernatural fiction, collected in "This Mortal Coil" (1947), demonstrated her skill in crafting psychological ghost stories that often explored themes of class and social relationships. Asquith's literary legacy extends beyond fiction through her detailed personal diaries and memoirs, particularly "Remember and Be Glad" (1952) and "Portrait of Barrie" (1954), which provided valuable insights into early 20th-century literary circles and British aristocratic life. Her connection to prominent figures of her time, including D.H. Lawrence and L.P. Hartley, made her an important chronicler of the period's cultural landscape. The daughter of the 11th Earl of Wemyss, Lady Cynthia Asquith moved in both aristocratic and literary circles, using her unique social position to bridge these worlds in her writing and editorial work. Her contributions to supernatural fiction and literary biography continue to be studied by scholars of early 20th-century British literature.

Readers note Asquith's ghost stories blend psychological tension with social commentary. Book collectors and supernatural fiction enthusiasts particularly value her anthologies like "The Ghost Book" for introducing lesser-known authors alongside established names. Liked: - Subtle approach to supernatural elements - Social observations of British upper class life - Personal diaries provide intimate views of literary figures - Editorial selections in anthologies show strong curatorial judgment Disliked: - Some stories described as slow-paced - Class perspective can feel dated or privileged - Writing style called overly formal by modern readers Ratings: Goodreads: - "This Mortal Coil" - 3.8/5 (42 ratings) - "The Ghost Book" - 3.9/5 (31 ratings) - "Portrait of Barrie" - 4.1/5 (15 ratings) Amazon reviews are limited, with most titles out of print. Individual stories appear in modern anthologies where readers highlight her "atmospheric writing" and "psychological insight," though some find her prose "too mannered for contemporary tastes."

This Mortal Coil (1947) A collection of supernatural short stories exploring psychological hauntings and social relationships in British society.

Remember and Be Glad (1952) A memoir detailing Asquith's experiences in British aristocratic and literary circles during the early 20th century.

Portrait of Barrie (1954) A biographical work providing intimate insights into the life and character of J.M. Barrie, drawn from Asquith's years as his secretary.

The Ghost Book (1926) An anthology of supernatural fiction edited by Asquith, featuring stories from prominent authors of the era.

When Churchyards Yawn (1931) A curated collection of ghost stories by various authors, selected and edited by Asquith.

Haply I May Remember (1950) A personal diary covering Asquith's experiences and observations of British society and cultural life.

The Spring House (1936) A novel exploring themes of social class and relationships in early 20th century Britain.

M.R. James Wrote ghost stories focused on academic settings and antiquarian themes that share Asquith's psychological approach to supernatural fiction. His stories similarly examine British social structures while building supernatural tension through careful exposition and historical detail.

Elizabeth Bowen Created ghost stories that, like Asquith's, explore class dynamics and social relationships in early 20th century Britain. Her work combines supernatural elements with psychological insight and detailed observations of aristocratic life.

L.P. Hartley Produced supernatural fiction that deals with themes of memory and social class similar to Asquith's work. His writing style shares her focus on psychological complexity and the intersection of supernatural elements with everyday life.

May Sinclair Wrote ghost stories that examine the psychological aspects of supernatural encounters in ways that parallel Asquith's approach. Her work similarly focuses on the experiences of upper-class British society while exploring deeper psychological themes.

Walter de la Mare Created supernatural tales that blend psychological insight with ghost story traditions in ways similar to Asquith's writing. His work shares her interest in the subtle manifestations of the supernatural within domestic and social settings.