Died 23 March 1960, Ealing, London, United Kingdom | ||
Mary Edith Nepean (née Bellis, 1876–1960) was a Welsh writer who wrote in English. Her 35 romantic novels mainly had Welsh settings or characters.
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Biography
Born in 1876 in Llandudno, she was the daughter of John Bellis, a county councillor, and his wife Mary. After being educated at home, she studied painting under Robert Fowler. She later participated in a number of exhibitions.
In 1899, she married the high-ranking civil servant Molyneux Edward Nepean (1870–1848) with whom she moved to London. Active in public life, she became a commandant of the Red Cross in Kent. Travelling to the Near East and the Balkans, she developed an interest in the gypsies of Transylvania.
Literary career
Nepean's first novel Gwyneth of the Welsh Hills was published in 1917, somewhat influenced by the writings of Allen Raine and Caradoc Evans. In addition to a further 34 novels, she wrote Romance and realism in the Near East (1933) based on her travels. She also contributed to popular journalism.
Death
Mary Nepean died in Llandudno on 23 March 1960 and was buried in the Great Orme Cemetery.