56-484: Baroness Emma Orczy (full name: Emma Magdalena Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála Orczy de Orci ) ( / ˈ ɔːr t s iː / ; 23 September 1865 – 12 November 1947), usually known as Baroness Orczy (the name under which she was published) or to her family and friends as Emmuska Orczy , was a Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright. She is best known for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel ,
112-527: A double life : apparently nothing more than a wealthy fop , but in reality, a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking master of disguise and escape artist. The band of gentlemen who assist him are the only ones who know of his secret identity . He is known by his symbol, a simple flower, the scarlet pimpernel ( Anagallis arvensis ). Opening at the New Theatre in London's West End on 5 January 1905,
168-488: A double life, along with the love story and conflict of loyalties. Dugan says that "Behind the wigs and Mechlin lace cuffs lies an enduring human story of love, misunderstandings, conflict of loyalties, audacious bravery – and a dramatic double life." and this is a major part of the story's enduring popularity. Another aspect is the "Englishness" of the hero in the era when the British Empire began to shrink. As
224-404: A friend put Orczy in contact with the actors Fred Terry and Julia Neilson who wanted a new romantic drama. The Scarlet Pimpernel was produced and adapted by Neilson and Terry and the play opened on 15 October 1903 at Nottingham's Theatre Royal , but it was not a success. Terry, however, had confidence in the play and, with a rewritten last act, took it to London's West End where it opened at
280-479: A painter, it was at art school that she met a young illustrator named Henry George Montagu MacLean Barstow, the son of an English clergyman; they were married at St Marylebone parish church on 7 November 1894. It was the start of what she described as a joyful and happy marriage, "for close on half a century, one of perfect happiness and understanding, of perfect friendship and communion of thought." They had very little money and Orczy started to work with her husband as
336-570: A play based on one of her short stories about an English aristocrat, Sir Percy Blakeney, Bart., who rescued French aristocrats from the French Revolution . She had conceived the character while standing on a platform on the London Underground . She submitted her novelisation of the story under the same title to 12 publishers. While the couple waited for the decisions of these publishers, Fred Terry and Julia Neilson accepted
392-692: A revival of classic villainy at the time. Orczy's premise of a daring hero who cultivates a secret identity disguised by a meek or ineffectual manner proved enduring. Zorro , Doctor Syn , the Shadow , the Spider , the Phantom , Superman and Batman followed within a few decades, and the trope remains a popular one in serial fiction today. Read by Stan Lee as a boy, the Marvel co-creator called The Scarlet Pimpernel "the first character who could be called
448-532: A slow-thinking, foppish playboy, and he also establishes a network of supporters, The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, who aid his endeavours. Orczy went on to write over a dozen sequels featuring Sir Percy Blakeney, his family, and the other members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, of which the first, I Will Repay (1906), was the most popular. The last Pimpernel book, Mam'zelle Guillotine ,
504-644: A superhero." In 1792, an early stage of the French Revolution , Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful French actress, is married to wealthy English fop Sir Percy Blakeney, baronet . Before their marriage Marguerite took revenge upon the Marquis de St. Cyr, who had ordered her brother beaten for his romantic interest in the Marquis' daughter, with the unintended consequence that the Marquis and his sons were guillotined . When Percy found out, he became estranged from his wife. Marguerite, for her part, became disillusioned with Percy's shallow, dandyish lifestyle. Meanwhile,
560-547: A translator and an illustrator to supplement his meager earnings. John Montague Orczy-Barstow, their only child, was born on 25 February 1899. She started writing soon after his birth, but her first novel, The Emperor's Candlesticks (1899), was a failure. She did, however, find a small following with a series of detective stories in the Royal Magazine . Her next novel, In Mary's Reign (1901), did better. In 1903, she and her husband wrote The Scarlet Pimpernel ,
616-473: A wealthy English fop who transforms into a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist, established the "hero with a secret identity " in popular culture, a trope that would be seen in subsequent literary creations such as Don Diego de la Vega ( Zorro ), Kent Allard/Lamont Cranston ( The Shadow ), Clark Kent ( Superman ), and Bruce Wayne ( Batman ). The Scarlet Pimpernel exhibits characteristics that would become standard superhero conventions, including
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#1732780222839672-700: A writer, Orczy often alluded to historical events and figures but adapted these freely in creating her tales. Citizen Chauvelin , the recurring villain of the Scarlet Pimpernel series, is based to some extent on the real-life Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin , who survived the Revolutionary period to serve as an official under Napoleon . He was a noted liberal Deputy under the Bourbon Restoration . Other historical figures who appear in Orczy's Pimpernel series include: Orczy wrote
728-549: Is a person's cryptonym , incognito , cover and/or alter ego which is not known to the general populace, most often used in fiction . Brought into popular culture by the Scarlet Pimpernel in 1903, the concept was widespread in pulp heroes and is particularly prevalent in the American comic book genre, and is a trope of the masquerade . In American comic books, a character typically has dual identities, one overt and one covert. The false or public identity being known to
784-541: Is able to escape. With Marguerite's love and courage amply proven, Percy's ardour is rekindled. Safely back on board their schooner, the Day Dream , the happily reconciled couple returns to England. Sir Andrew marries the count's daughter, Suzanne. "Orczy introduced a new idea into the collective consciousness: a heroic figure who creates a lounging foppish alter ego to hide his (or her) true heroic nature." —Peter Royston. The title character, Sir Percy Blakeney,
840-511: Is being blackmailed by Citizen Chauvelin , the wily new French envoy to England: Chauvelin's agents have stolen a letter proving that her beloved brother Armand is in league with the Pimpernel. Chauvelin offers to trade Armand's life for her help against the Pimpernel. Contemptuous of her seemingly witless and unloving husband, Marguerite does not go to him for help or advice. Instead, she passes along information which enables Chauvelin to learn
896-495: Is not known when she was formally enrolled. The Prince Regent is rumored to also be a member of the League, but in the original novel he refuses to confirm or deny this, saying "My lips are sealed!"; in the novel The Elusive Pimpernel , Sir Percy tells Marguerite that he has had to report to the Prince before joining her at the village gala. Orczy did not publish her Pimpernel stories as a strict chronological series, and in fact,
952-423: Is the spurious " love triangle ", where a woman is torn between attraction to her staid husband and the dashing hero—although they are in reality the same man. Marvel co-creator Stan Lee stated: "The Scarlet Pimpernel was the first superhero I had read about, the first character who could be called a superhero." The popular success of the novel is considered to be based on the myth of the aristocratic hero with
1008-414: The New Theatre on 5 January 1905. The premiere of the London production was enthusiastically received by the audience, but critics considered the play 'old-fashioned.' In spite of negative reviews, the play became a popular success, running 122 performances and enjoying numerous revivals. The Scarlet Pimpernel became a favourite of London audiences, playing more than 2,000 performances and becoming one of
1064-560: The Prince of Wales know the Pimpernel's true identity. Like many others, Marguerite is entranced by the Pimpernel's daring exploits. We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven?—Is he in hell? That demmed, elusive Pimpernel. Sir Percy Blakeney, Baronet (ch.12) At a ball attended by the Blakeneys, Percy's verse about the "elusive Pimpernel" becomes an instant success. But Marguerite
1120-596: The Royal Academy in London. She established the Women of England's Active Service League during World War I with the intention of empowering women to convince men to enlist in the military. Orczy was born in Tarnaörs , Hungary. She was the daughter of the composer Baron Félix Orczy de Orci (1835–1892) and Countess Emma Wass de Szentegyed et Cege (1839–1892). Her paternal grandfather, Baron László Orczy (1787–1880)
1176-745: The Vatican in Rome. His story is told in two books and a film: Harald Edelstam (1913–1989) was a Swedish diplomat. During World War II, he earned the nickname Svarta nejlikan ("the Black Pimpernel") for helping Norwegian resistance fighters in Hjemmefronten [ nl ] escape from the Germans. Stationed in Chile in the 1970s, he arranged for the escape of numerous refugees from
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#17327802228391232-464: The military junta of Augusto Pinochet ; this brought him into conflict with the regime, and he eventually was forced to leave the country. This name was also given to Nelson Mandela prior to his arrest and long incarceration for his anti- apartheid activities in South Africa due to his effective use of disguises when evading capture by the police. Raoul Wallenberg , a Swedish diplomat,
1288-493: The "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel", a secret society of twenty English aristocrats, "one to command, and nineteen to obey", is engaged in rescuing their French counterparts from the daily executions of the Reign of Terror . Their leader, the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, takes his nom de guerre from the small, wayside red flower he draws on his messages. Despite being the talk of London society, only his followers and possibly
1344-566: The Englishman escapes by offering Chauvelin a pinch of snuff , which turns out to be pure pepper. Through a bold plan executed right under Chauvelin's nose, Percy rescues Marguerite's brother Armand and the Comte de Tournay, the father of a schoolfriend of Marguerite's. Marguerite pursues Percy right to the very end, determined to either warn him or share his fate. Percy, heavily disguised, is captured by Chauvelin, who does not recognise him, so he
1400-549: The Marquis de St. Cyr. Desperate to save her husband, she decides to pursue Percy to France to warn him that Chauvelin knows his identity and his purpose. She persuades Sir Andrew Ffoulkes to accompany her, but because of the tide and the weather, neither they nor Chauvelin can leave immediately. At Calais , Percy openly approaches Chauvelin in the Chat gris , a decrepit inn whose owner is in Percy's pay. Despite Chauvelin's best efforts,
1456-489: The Pimpernel's true identity. Later that night, Marguerite finally tells her husband of the terrible danger threatening her brother and pleads for his help. Percy promises to save him. After Percy unexpectedly leaves for France, Marguerite discovers to her horror (and simultaneous delight) that he is the Pimpernel. He had hidden behind the persona of a dull, slow-witted fop to deceive the world. He had not told Marguerite because of his worry that she might betray him, as she had
1512-438: The Scarlet Pimpernel or the League, most notably The Bronze Eagle (1915). The Life and Exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel , a fictional biography of Percy Blakeney published in 1938, named the nineteen members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Three members of the League have betrayed their oath of loyalty: Marguerite, Lady Blakeney, is also named as a member of the League in the book Mam'zelle Guillotine , but it
1568-477: The Women of England's Active Service League, an unofficial organisation aimed at encouraging women to persuade men to volunteer for active service in the armed forces. Her aim was to enlist 100,000 women who would pledge "to persuade every man I know to offer his service to his country". Some 20,000 women joined her organisation. Orczy strongly opposed the Soviet Union . Orczy's work was so successful that she
1624-431: The alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who turns into a quick-thinking escape artist in order to save French aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine" during the French Revolution , establishing the "hero with a secret identity " in popular culture. Opening in London's West End on 5 January 1905, The Scarlet Pimpernel became a favourite of British audiences. Some of Orczy's paintings were exhibited at
1680-496: The chain of my life, there were so many links, all of which tended towards bringing me to the fulfillment of my destiny." Orczy wrote numerous sequels, none of which became as famous as The Scarlet Pimpernel . Many of the sequels revolve around French characters whom Sir Percy has met and is attempting to rescue. His followers, such as Lord Tony Dewhurst, Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, Lord Hastings, and Armand St. Just (Marguerite's brother), also take their turn in major roles. In addition to
1736-483: The definitive portrayal and adaptation. In 1923, Fred Terry and Julia Nelson bought the sole performance right to a stageplay based on The Scarlet Pimpernel . Orczy sued the two in an attempt to claim a separate right of performance for films, but was unsuccessful. As a result of the case, people who controlled a stage performance right under the English Copyright Act were entitled to create films with
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1792-483: The direct sequels about Sir Percy and his league, Orczy's related books include The Laughing Cavalier (1914) and The First Sir Percy (1921), about an ancestor of the Pimpernel's; Pimpernel and Rosemary (1924), about a descendant; and The Scarlet Pimpernel Looks at the World (1933), a depiction of the 1930s world from the point of view of Sir Percy. Some of her non-related Revolutionary-period novels reference
1848-539: The film was amazing. When we got up from our seats, Raoul said, 'that is the kind of thing I would like to do ' ". Wallenberg issued false passports identifying the Jews as Swedish nationals, and is credited with rescuing at least 15,000 Jews. He disappeared in Eastern Europe after the war, and is believed to have died in a Soviet prison camp. "Behind the scenes, Mandela worked very closely with Walter Sisulu , who
1904-582: The first syllable, the s equivalent to sh in English; thus, EM -moosh-ka ." Translations Plays Short story collections The Man in The Corner Series Scarlet Pimpernel Series Other short story books The Scarlet Pimpernel The Scarlet Pimpernel is the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy , published in 1905. It was written after her stage play of
1960-415: The following is an approximate chronological listing of Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel novels and short stories: Hollywood took to the Pimpernel early and often, although most of the Pimpernel movies have been based on a melange of the original book and another Orczy novel, Eldorado . The best known of the Pimpernel movies is the 1934 The Scarlet Pimpernel starring Leslie Howard , which is often considered
2016-533: The general public as the " superhero persona" and the other being the secret identity. The private or secret identity is typically the superhero's legal name , true identity, and/or " civilian persona" when they are not actively assuming the superhero persona. It is kept hidden from their enemies and the general public to protect themselves from legal ramifications, pressure, or public scrutiny, as well as to protect their friends and loved ones from harm secondary to their actions as superheroes. Occasionally, this trope
2072-522: The most popular shows staged in the United Kingdom. The stage play (and subsequent novel), with their hero and villain, were so popular that they inspired a revival of classic villainy at the time. The novel The Scarlet Pimpernel was published two years after the play opened and was an immediate success. Orczy gained a following of readers in Britain and throughout the world. The popularity of
2128-457: The notion of a "hero with a secret identity " into popular culture, the Scarlet Pimpernel exhibits characteristics that would become standard superhero conventions, including the penchant for disguise, use of a signature weapon (sword), ability to out-think and outwit his adversaries, and a calling card (he leaves behind a scarlet pimpernel at each of his interventions). By drawing attention to his alter ego, Blakeney hides behind his public face as
2184-546: The novel encouraged her to write a number of sequels for her "reckless daredevil" over the next 35 years. The play was performed to great acclaim in France, Italy, Germany and Spain, while the novel was popular across the former British Empire and translated into 16 languages. Subsequently, the story has been adapted for television, film, a musical and other media. The commercial success of The Scarlet Pimpernel allowed Orczy and her husband to live out their lives in luxury. Over
2240-519: The original manuscript for The Scarlet Pimpernel in five weeks during what she described as "The happiest time of her life". It was rejected by most publishing houses in London, despite her previous successes with her armchair detective stories, primarily The Old Man in the Corner which first appeared in The Royal Magazine in 1901 in a series of six "Mysteries of London". Eventually
2296-404: The other murdered by the villain. Even though this novel had no link to The Scarlet Pimpernel other than its shared authorship, the publisher advertised it as part of "The Scarlet Pimpernel Series". Orczy held strong political views. She was a firm believer in the superiority of the aristocracy, as well as being a supporter of British imperialism and militarism. During World War I, Orczy formed
Baroness Orczy - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-492: The penchant for disguise, use of a signature weapon (sword), ability to out-think and outwit his adversaries, and a calling card (he leaves behind a scarlet pimpernel at each of his interventions). By drawing attention to his alter ego , Blakeney hides behind his public face as a slow-thinking, foppish playboy, and he also establishes a network of supporters, The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, that aids his endeavours. A plot technique from Pimpernel also used by some superheroes
2408-411: The play became a favourite of British audiences, eventually playing more than 2,000 performances and becoming one of the most popular shows staged in London. Published after the success of the play, the novel was an immediate success, gaining Orczy a following of readers in Britain and the rest of the world. The stage play and subsequent novel, with their hero and villain, were so popular that they inspired
2464-456: The play for production in London's West End . Initially, it drew small audiences, but the play ran for four years in London, and broke many stage records, eventually playing more than 2,000 performances and becoming one of the most popular shows staged in Britain. It was translated and produced in other countries and underwent several revivals. This theatrical success generated huge sales for the novel. The couple moved to Thanet, Kent. Introducing
2520-719: The same right. The novel has been parodied or used as source material in a variety of media, such as films, TV, stage works, literature, and games: Inspired by the title Scarlet Pimpernel , the Tartan Pimpernel was a nickname given to the Reverend Donald Caskie (1902–1983), formerly minister of the Paris congregation of the Church of Scotland , for aiding over 2,000 Allied service personnel to escape from occupied France during World War II . Varian Fry
2576-461: The same title (co-authored with her husband Montague Barstow) enjoyed a long run in London, having opened in Nottingham in 1903. The novel is set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution . The title is the nom de guerre of its hero and protagonist, a chivalrous Englishman who rescues aristocrats before they are sent to the guillotine. Sir Percy Blakeney leads
2632-400: The settings of the books in their publication sequence may vary forward or backward in time by months or centuries . While some readers enjoy following the author's development of the Pimpernel character as it was realised, others prefer to read the stories in historical sequence. Taking into account occasional discrepancies in the dates of events (real and fictional) referred to in the stories,
2688-532: The threat of a peasant revolution. They lived in Budapest, Brussels, and Paris, where Emma studied music unsuccessfully. Finally, in 1880, the 14-year-old Emma and her family moved to London, England where they lodged with their countryman, Francis Pichler, at 162 Great Portland Street . Orczy attended West London School of Art and then the Heatherley School of Fine Art . Although not destined to be
2744-657: The years, they lived on an estate in Kent , a bustling London home and an opulent villa in Monte Carlo . Conceiving the character while standing on a platform on the London Underground , Orczy wrote in her autobiography, Links in the Chain of Life : I have so often been asked the question: "But how did you come to think of The Scarlet Pimpernel? " And my answer has always been: "It was God's will that I should." And to you moderns, who perhaps do not believe as I do, I will say, "In
2800-682: Was a 32-year-old Harvard -educated classicist and editor from New York City who helped save thousands of endangered refugees who were caught in Vichy France , helping them to escape from Nazi terror during World War II. His story is told in American Pimpernel: The Man Who Saved the Artists on Hitler's Death List . Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was an Irish priest who saved thousands of people, British and American servicemen and Jews, during World War II while in
2856-752: Was a founding member of the Detection Club (1930). Orczy's novels were racy, mannered melodramas and she favoured historical fiction. Critic Mary Cadogan states, "Orczy's books are highly wrought and intensely atmospheric". In The Nest of the Sparrowhawk (1909), for example, a malicious guardian in Puritan Kent tricks his beautiful, wealthy young ward into marrying him by disguising himself as an exiled French prince. He persuades his widowed sister-in-law to abet him in this plot, in which she unwittingly disgraces one of her long-lost sons and finds
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#17327802228392912-603: Was a royal councillor, and knight of the Sicilian order of Saint George , her paternal grandmother, Baroness Magdolna, born Magdolna Müller (1811–1879), was of Austrian origin. Her maternal grandparents were the Count Sámuel Wass de Szentegyed et Cege (1815–1879), member of the Hungarian parliament, and Rozália Eperjessy de Károlyfejérvár (1814–1884). Emma's parents left their estate for Budapest in 1868, fearful of
2968-733: Was able to buy a house in Monte Carlo: "Villa Bijou" at 19 Avenue de la Costa (since demolished), which is where she spent World War II. She was not able to return to London until after the war. Montagu Barstow died in Monte Carlo in 1942. Finding herself alone and unable to travel, she wrote her memoir Links in the Chain of Life (published 1947). She died in Henley-on-Thames , Oxfordshire on 12 November 1947. Asked how to say her name, Orczy told The Literary Digest : "Or-tsey. Emmuska —a diminutive meaning "little Emma"—accent on
3024-650: Was directly inspired by "Pimpernel" Smith , a 1941 British anti-Nazi propaganda thriller, to begin rescuing Hungarian Jews during World War II. The film had been banned in Sweden, but Wallenberg and his sister Nina were invited to a private screening at the British Embassy in Stockholm . Enthralled by Professor Smith (played by Leslie Howard ), who saved thousands of Jews from the Nazis, Nina stated, "We thought
3080-561: Was now being pursued by the police. Z.K. Matthews told the Cape ANC in June that Sisulu was operating behind the ' Iron Curtain ' of the Transkei as a Scarlet Pimpernel (before Mandela inherited the title): 'They sought him here, they sought him there, they sought him everywhere. ' " Quote cites: Karis & Carter, Vol.3, op. cit., p.128 Secret identity A secret identity
3136-402: Was published in 1940. None of her three subsequent plays matched the success of The Scarlet Pimpernel . She also wrote popular mystery fiction and many adventure romances. Her Lady Molly of Scotland Yard was an early example of a female detective as the main character. Other popular detective stories featured The Old Man in the Corner , a sleuth who chiefly used logic to solve crimes. Orczy
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