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Daphne Rooke

1914 – 2009

South African writer

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About Daphne Rooke

Lived 1914 – 2009 (aged 94). Daphne Rooke was a South African journalist and writer.

Daphne Marie Rooke (née Pizzey) (6 March 1914 – 21 January 2009 ) was a South African author of works such as "Mittee", "Ratoons" and "Wizards' Country". She also wrote travel articles and books for children set in India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Biography Daphne Rooke was born in Boksburg, Transvaal; the youngest of six children born to an Afrikaaner mother. Daphne's grandfather was Dietlof Siegfried Maré, founder of Pietersburg, who had 23 children by two wives. One of Daphne's uncles was writer Leon Maré.

Daphne's mother was Maria Magdalena Maré, born in 1878, who was known as "Mittee". or Knevitt in 1899. The Marés and Knevitts apparently had little contact after this time.

After the death of Edward Knevitt, Daphne's mother remarried to another Englishman, Robert Pizzey, in 1911, As a child, Daphne had recurring heart and growth problems. In the meantime (1937) she had married an Australian named Irvin ("Bertie") Rooke, whom she had met while doing organizational work for the Transport Workers Union. To reconnect with Bertie's Australian family, they left for Australia in 1946.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Daphne Marie Rooke, Pizzey

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Daphne Rooke's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Daphne Rooke?

South African writer (1914–2009)

When was Daphne Rooke born?

Daphne Rooke was born on 6 March 1914 in Boksburg.

When did Daphne Rooke die?

Daphne Rooke died on 21 January 2009 in Cambridge.

What was Daphne Rooke's occupation?

Daphne Rooke was a journalist and writer.

What nationality was Daphne Rooke?

Daphne Rooke was South African.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Daphne Rooke

· Wikidata: Q1165510

· DBpedia: Daphne Rooke

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Daphne Rooke. https://biography.guide/daphne-rooke/

MLA: "Daphne Rooke." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/daphne-rooke/.

Chicago: "Daphne Rooke." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/daphne-rooke/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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