Drusilla Beyfus

Drusilla Norman Beyfus (later Shulman; 1 March 1927 – 26 February 2026) was an English journalist and etiquette writer who was best known for her books on modern modes and manners.

Background Beyfus was born in Hampstead, London, England on 1 March 1927. She was educated at a private boarding school then attended finishing school as a young woman.

Beyfus met the journalist, war historian and theatre critic Milton Shulman in 1951. After a long courtship, interrupted by her sojourn in America as an author and freelance writer, they married at Caxton Hall in Westminster, London, on 6 June 1956. They had three children, who grew up in Belgravia in Greater London: Jason Shulman (born 1963), a photographer, sculptor and magazine art director.

Beyfus was widowed in 2004. She died at home in London, on 26 February 2026, at the age of 98, 3 days before her 99th birthday.

Career After leaving finishing school, Beyfus began her writing career writing women's columns at the Reading Mercury and the Berkshire Chronicle. In the 1960s, she contributed a chapter to Len Deighton's London Dossier, a guide book to modern London. She was later a features editor at Vogue.

As an etiquette writer, Beyfus contributed to over 60 different magazines and published books on the topics of modes and manners.

Publications (selected) 1968: The English Marriage: what it is like to be married today 1969: Lady Behave: a guide to modern manners for the 1970s (with Anne Edwards) 1985: The Bride's Book 1992: Courtship – The Done Thing: modern manners in miniature 1992: Modern Manners: the essential guide to living in the '90s 1992: Parties – The Done Thing: modern manners in miniature 1993: Business: The Done Thing 1993: Sex: The Done Thing 1994: Modern Manners: the complete guide to contemporary etiquette 2015: Vogue on Hubert de Givenchy