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Emma Orczy

Emma Orczy[1†]

Emma Orczy, born in Hungary on September 23, 1865, was a British novelist and playwright famed for her "Scarlet Pimpernel" series. She moved to London in 1880 and gained acclaim for “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, which popularized the "hero with a secret identity" trope[1†][2†].

Early Years and Education

Emma Orczy was born on September 23, 1865, in Tarnaörs, Heves County, Hungary[1†]. She was the daughter of the composer Baron Félix Orczy de Orci and Countess Emma Wass de Szentegyed et Cege[1†][3†]. Her family left their estate for Budapest in 1868, fearful of the threat of a peasant revolution[1†]. They lived in Budapest, Brussels, and Paris, where Emma studied music unsuccessfully[1†].

In 1880, the 14-year-old Emma and her family moved to London, England[1†]. Unlike many aristocratic women, Orczy wanted to pursue higher education, but her father rejected her plea to go to Cambridge[1†][4†]. She initially studied music at schools in Brussels and Paris, but found greater success in her study of painting at the West London School of Art and at Heatherley’s[1†][4†]. Some of her paintings were later exhibited at the Royal Academy in London[1†][3†].

Career Development and Achievements

Emma Orczy’s career took off with the publication of her most famous work, “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, in 1905[1†][3†]. This novel, set during the French Revolution, introduced the character of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who becomes a quick-thinking escape artist to save French aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine"[1†]. The book was a great success and established the “hero with a secret identity” in popular culture[1†].

Following the success of “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, Orczy wrote several sequels, including “The Elusive Pimpernel” (1908) and “The Way of the Scarlet Pimpernel” (1933), although these were less successful than the original[1†][3†]. In addition to her Pimpernel series, Orczy also wrote several detective stories, including “Lady Molly of Scotland Yard” (1910) and “Unravelled Knots” (1925)[1†][3†].

During World War I, Orczy established the Women of England’s Active Service League, an organization aimed at empowering women to convince men to enlist in the military[1†]. Despite her success as a writer, Orczy’s beginnings in the arts were not in literature but in painting. Some of her paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy in London[1†][3†].

First Publication of Her Main Works

Emma Orczy’s literary career was marked by the publication of numerous novels, short stories, and plays. Here are some of her main works:

• The Emperor’s Candlesticks (1899): This was Orczy’s first novel[4†]. It did not perform well commercially, but it marked the beginning of her writing career[4†][2†].
• The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905): This is undoubtedly Orczy’s most famous work[4†][1†]. The novel introduced the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel, an English gentleman who secretly helps French aristocrats escape during the French Revolution[4†][1†]. The novel was so successful that it was adapted into a play, which ran for over 2,000 performances in London’s West End[4†][2†].
• The Elusive Pimpernel (1908): This is one of the many sequels to The Scarlet Pimpernel[4†][1†]. Like the original, it features the daring exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel[4†][1†].
• Lady Molly of Scotland Yard (1910): This collection of short stories features the character Lady Molly, a detective at Scotland Yard[4†][5†].
• The Old Man in the Corner (1908): This is another of Orczy’s detective stories[4†].
• Leatherface (1916): This is one of Orczy’s historical adventure novels[4†][5†].
• The Divine Folly (1937): This is one of Orczy’s later works[4†].

Each of these works showcases Orczy’s talent for creating engaging characters and thrilling plots. Her works have had a significant impact on popular culture, particularly through the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel, who is often seen as the precursor to the modern superhero[4†][1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Emma Orczy’s work, particularly her creation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, has had a significant impact on popular culture[6†]. The character of the Scarlet Pimpernel, an English gentleman who secretly helps French aristocrats escape during the French Revolution, is often seen as the precursor to the modern superhero[6†]. This character, with his dual identity and heroic deeds, has influenced countless other characters in literature and film[6†].

Orczy’s writing style is characterized by its vivid descriptions, intricate plots, and memorable characters[6†]. Her novels are filled with suspense and adventure, drawing readers into the historical periods she depicts[6†].

In addition to her contributions to literature, Orczy also played a role in the world events of her time. In the 1910s, she participated in British military recruitment drives, while also maintaining cultural ties with her homeland of Hungary[6†][7†]. This dual allegiance reflects the complex identities and loyalties of many individuals during the tumultuous times of the early 20th century[6†][7†].

Orczy’s work continues to be studied and enjoyed today, more than a century after it was first published[6†]. Her novels, particularly “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, have been adapted into numerous films, television series, and plays, attesting to their enduring appeal[6†].

Personal Life

Emma Orczy was born as Emmuska Magdalena Rosalia Maria Josefa Barbara Orczy on September 23, 1865, in Tarna-Örs, Hungary[4†]. She was the daughter of the composer, Baron Felix Orczy[4†]. Her family was of aristocratic ancestry[4†][2†]. When revolution threatened Hungary in 1868, her parents were forced to flee their homeland and lived at various times in Budapest, Paris, and Brussels until 1880 when the family settled in London[4†][2†].

In 1894, at the age of 29, she married Henry George Montagu MacLean Barstow, the son of an English clergyman[4†][2†][4†]. Their only child, John Montagu Orczy Barstow, was born on February 25, 1899[4†][2†][8†][4†]. The couple had very little money and Emma’s husband Montagu worked as a translator and illustrator to supplement his meagre income[2†].

Emma Orczy passed away on November 12, 1947, in London, England[4†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Emma Orczy’s legacy is largely defined by her creation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, a character that has had a lasting impact on popular culture[1†]. The character established the “hero with a secret identity” trope, which has been widely used in literature and media since then[1†]. Her works were not only popular during her lifetime but continue to be read and adapted today[1†].

Orczy was a firm believer in the superiority of the aristocracy, as well as being a supporter of British imperialism and militarism[1†][6†]. These beliefs were reflected in her works, particularly in the character of the Scarlet Pimpernel[1†][6†].

In addition to her novels, Orczy also made significant contributions to the genre of crime fiction. She penned seven collections of Old Man in the Corner tales and created one of the first woman sleuths in the genre[1†][9†].

Despite the challenges she faced in her early life, including having to flee her homeland due to the threat of a peasant revolution[1†][6†], Orczy went on to achieve great success as a writer. Her works have left a lasting legacy and continue to be enjoyed by readers around the world[1†][6†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Baroness Emma Orczy, Emmuska Orczy[1†][2†]
• Born: September 23, 1865, Tarnaörs, Heves County, Hungary[1†][2†]
• Died: November 12, 1947, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK[1†]
• Nationality: Hungarian, British[1†]
• Occupation: Novelist[1†]
• Notable Works: The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Emperor’s Candlesticks[1†][2†]
• Notable Achievements: Some of Orczy’s paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. She established the Women of England’s Active Service League during World War I[1†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Baroness Orczy [website] - link
2. Literary Ladies Guide - Baroness Emma “Emmuska” Orczy, Author of The Scarlet Pimpernel [website] - link
3. Britannica - Baroness Emmuska Orczy: Hungarian author [website] - link
4. Encyclopedia.com - Orczy, Emma (1865–1947) [website] - link
5. The Literature Network - Baroness Emmuska Orczy [website] - link
6. LitCharts - The Scarlet Pimpernel Study Guide [website] - link
7. Academia - Baroness Emma Orczy’s Divided Loyalties in the 1910s and 20s [website] - link
8. Springer Link - Baroness Orczy (1865–1947), 1901: First Publication of Six ‘The Old Man in the Corner’ Stories in The Royal Magazine [website] - link
9. Encyclopedia.com - Baroness Orczy [website] - link