Katherine Cecil Thurston
Encyclopedia
Katherine Cecil Thurston (18 April 1875 - 5 September 1911) was an Irish
novelist.
, the only daughter of banker Paul J. Madden (who was Mayor of Cork
1885-1886, and a friend of Charles Stuart Parnell) and Catherine Madden (born Barry). Privately educated, by the end of the nineteenth century she was a contributing author of short stories
for various British publications such as Pall Mall Magazine, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Harpers, Windsor Magazine, and others.
In 1901, she married writer Ernest Temple Thurston
(1879-1933). They separated in 1907 and were divorced in 1910. The divorce was filed on grounds of his adultery and desertion. The suit went undefended. "He complained that she was making more money by her books than he was, that her personality dominated his and had said that he wanted to leave her."
Katherine Thurston's novels achieved success not only in Great Britain
but in the United States
as well. Her best known work was a political thriller titled John Chilcote, M.P.
(as The Masquerader in the United States) published in 1904. It was on the New York Times Best Seller list
for two years, ranking as the third best-selling book for 1904 and the seventh best selling in 1905. Ms. Thurston's next book, The Gambler, came out in 1905 and it too made the list of bestselling novels in the United States for that year, coming in at number 6. It marked the first time the New York Times recorded any author, female or male, as having two top ten books in a single year. In 1910, she was back on the New York Times best selling books of the year list at number 4 with her novel, "Max
," the story of a young Russian princess, who, disguised as a boy, flees to the Montmartre Quarter of Paris
the night before her arranged marriage.
Thurston's book John Chilcote, M.P. was adapted to the stage by John Hunter Booth
and opened on Broadway
in 1917. It was made into a motion picture four times, the first silent film
by American Pathé in 1912 under the title The Compact and starring Crane Wilbur
; the second was a 1920 Russia
n / French
co-production titled Chlen parlamenta. Two more films were made using the American book title The Masquerader in 1922 and then by the Samuel Goldwyn Company in 1933 as a "talkie" starring Ronald Colman
.
An epileptic
, her blossoming career was cut short at the age of thirty-six when she was found in her hotel room in Cork dead. The official inquiry held 6 September 1911, lists the cause of death from asphyxia
as result of a seizure. She was due to remarry later that month, and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Cork.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
novelist.
Life
She was born Katherine Cecil Madden in Cork, IrelandCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, the only daughter of banker Paul J. Madden (who was Mayor of Cork
Lord Mayor of Cork
The Lord Mayor of Cork is the honorific title of the Chairman of Cork City Council which is the local government body for the city of Cork in Ireland. The incumbent is Terry Shannon of Fianna Fáil. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the Council.-History of office:In 1199 there...
1885-1886, and a friend of Charles Stuart Parnell) and Catherine Madden (born Barry). Privately educated, by the end of the nineteenth century she was a contributing author of short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
for various British publications such as Pall Mall Magazine, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Harpers, Windsor Magazine, and others.
In 1901, she married writer Ernest Temple Thurston
E. Temple Thurston
Ernest Temple Thurston was an Anglo-Irish poet, playwright and author. He was born in Halesworth, Suffolk, England, and his family moved to Cork when he was aged ten. In 1901 he married the popular novelist, Katherine Cecil Madden, . The marriage did not last and they separated in 1907 and were...
(1879-1933). They separated in 1907 and were divorced in 1910. The divorce was filed on grounds of his adultery and desertion. The suit went undefended. "He complained that she was making more money by her books than he was, that her personality dominated his and had said that he wanted to leave her."
Katherine Thurston's novels achieved success not only in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
but in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well. Her best known work was a political thriller titled John Chilcote, M.P.
The Masquerader (novel)
The Masquerader is a novel by the Irish writer Katherine Cecil Thurston which was first published in 1904. It was the third most popular book in the United States that year. A leading British politician chooses to swap places with his cousin, a journalist who is his doppelganger...
(as The Masquerader in the United States) published in 1904. It was on the New York Times Best Seller list
New York Times Best Seller list
The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
for two years, ranking as the third best-selling book for 1904 and the seventh best selling in 1905. Ms. Thurston's next book, The Gambler, came out in 1905 and it too made the list of bestselling novels in the United States for that year, coming in at number 6. It marked the first time the New York Times recorded any author, female or male, as having two top ten books in a single year. In 1910, she was back on the New York Times best selling books of the year list at number 4 with her novel, "Max
Max (novel)
Max is a novel by Howard Fast. It is about the life of Max Britsky, a poor Jewish kid who grows up to be an entrepreneur during the infancy of the motion picture business. He eventually becomes one of the first major studio owners and one of the richest people in America. Though a shrewd...
," the story of a young Russian princess, who, disguised as a boy, flees to the Montmartre Quarter of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
the night before her arranged marriage.
Thurston's book John Chilcote, M.P. was adapted to the stage by John Hunter Booth
John Hunter Booth
John Hunter Booth was an American playwright. He wrote 7 films between 1922 and 1933.He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA and died in Norwood, Massachusetts.-External links:...
and opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1917. It was made into a motion picture four times, the first silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
by American Pathé in 1912 under the title The Compact and starring Crane Wilbur
Crane Wilbur
Crane Wilbur was an American writer, actor and director for stage, radio and screen. He was born in Athens, New York...
; the second was a 1920 Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n / French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
co-production titled Chlen parlamenta. Two more films were made using the American book title The Masquerader in 1922 and then by the Samuel Goldwyn Company in 1933 as a "talkie" starring Ronald Colman
Ronald Colman
Ronald Charles Colman was an English actor.-Early years:He was born in Richmond, Surrey, England, the second son and fourth child of Charles Colman and his wife Marjory Read Fraser. His siblings included Eric, Edith, and Marjorie. He was educated at boarding school in Littlehampton, where he...
.
An epileptic
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
, her blossoming career was cut short at the age of thirty-six when she was found in her hotel room in Cork dead. The official inquiry held 6 September 1911, lists the cause of death from asphyxia
Asphyxia
Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to breathe normally. An example of asphyxia is choking. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which primarily affects the tissues and organs...
as result of a seizure. She was due to remarry later that month, and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Cork.