Seton 1

ANYA SETON (1904 - 1990)

Anya Seton was the daughter of Ernest Thompson Seton (q.v.). A well-known historical novelist in America, she produced best-sellers in Dragonwyck (1941) and Foxfire (1950) both made into Hollywood films. Her novel Devil Water concerns James, the luckless Earl of Derwentwater and his involvement with the Jacobite rising of 1715. She also narrates the story of his brother Charles, beheaded after the 1745 rebellion, the last man to die for the cause. The action of the novel moves back and forth between Northumberland, Tyneside, London and America. General Tom Forster, and his intrepid sister Dorothy both make an appearance, along with members of well-known Border families like the Widdringtons and Collingwoods.

Anya Seton stated that the book developed out of her love for Northumberland. Her grandmother was a Snowdon, and Anya certainly visited her Snowdon cousins at Felton. Billy Pigg, the celebrated Northumbrian piper played 'Derwentwater's Farewell' especially for her. The novel shows thorough research of events and places, though the accents are a little wayward. Anya Seton said that her greatest debt of all was to Miss Amy Flagg of Westoe Village in South Shields, who provided her with much documentation and information.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
ANYA SETON (1904 - 1990) Anya Seton was the daughter of Ernest Thompson Seton (q.v.). A well-known historical novelist in America, she produced best-sellers in Dragonwyck (1941) and Foxfire (1950) both made into Hollywood films. Her novel Devil Water concerns James, the luckless Earl of Derwentwater and his involvement with the Jacobite rising of 1715. She also narrates the story of his brother Charles, beheaded after the 1745 rebellion, the last man to die for the cause. The action of the novel moves back and forth between Northumberland, Tyneside, London and America. General Tom Forster, and his intrepid sister Dorothy both make an appearance, along with members of well-known Border families like the Widdringtons and Collingwoods. Anya Seton stated that the book developed out of her love for Northumberland. Her grandmother was a Snowdon, and Anya certainly visited her Snowdon cousins at Felton. Billy Pigg, the celebrated Northumbrian piper played 'Derwentwater's Farewell' especially for her. The novel shows thorough research of events and places, though the accents are a little wayward. Anya Seton said that her greatest debt of all was to Miss Amy Flagg of Westoe Village in South Shields, who provided her with much documentation and information.
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