Phyllis Matthewman

Phyllis Matthewman (née Barton) (19 January 1896 – 1979), was a British writer of children's books, mostly boarding school stories, and adult fiction.

Personal life Matthewman was born in Leeds, the elder daughter of Thomas Barton, an insurance manager, and Ada Mary (née Pollard). She had a sister, Joyce. In 1930 she married Sydney Matthewman, a literary agent, who ran (or whose father ran) the Swan Press in Leeds. They had no children. In 1964, her long-time friend Elinor Brent-Dyer left the large Victorian villa at which she had previously run a school in order to live with the Matthewmans, which she did until her death in 1969. After first renting half of a house called Albury Edge at Redhill, Surrey, they bought a house together, Gryphons, also at Redhill, in 1965. Phyllis's aunt, who knew the Dyer family, had introduced them in childhood. Sydney Matthewman served as Brent-Dyer's agent.

Matthewman also published under the names Kathryn Surrey and Jacqueline Yorke.

Selected books Daneswood series Chloe Takes Control, 1940 The Queerness of Rusty, 1941 Josie Moves Up, 1943 A New Role for Natasha, 1945 Justice for Jacqueline, 1946 Pat at the Helm, 1947 The Intrusion of Nicola, 1948

Kirkdale Priory series Because of Vivian, 1947 The Turbulence of Tony, 1951 The Coming of Lys, 1951 The Amateur Prefects, 1951

The 'Mr. Jones' books Thanks to Mr. Jones, 1948 Peter-New Girl, 1948 Mr. Jones Tips the Scales, 1950 Peter Plays the Sleuth, 1950

Other children's books Jill on the Land (1942) Clubs are Trumps (1946, The Lutterworth Press) Amanda at the Manor (1954, Oliphants) John Williams, biography of John Williams (missionary), (1954, Oliphants) The Mystery of Snake Island (1962, University of London Press) No Magic Carpet (1966, EJ Arnold)

Adult romance fiction Set to Partners (1944, Mills & Boon) Utility Wedding (1946, Mills & Boon) Stable Companions (1947, Mills & Boon) How Could You, Jennifer! (1948, Mills & Boon) River of Enchantment (1948, Mills & Boon) As Kathryn Surrey, Maids A-Waiting (1948, Comyns) Colour of Romance (1949, Mills & Boon) The Veil Between (1950, Mills & Boon) The Imprudence of Prue (1951, Mills & Boon) Winged Cupid, (1951, Mills & Boon) Clutch of Circumstance (1952, Mills & Boon) Imitation Marriage (1952, Mills & Boon) Castle to Let (1953, Mills & Boon) Welcome Enemy (1953, Mills & Boon) Luck for Lindy (1954, Mills & Boon) Sir, she Said (1954, Mills & Boon) The Beckoning House (1955, Mills & Boon) Beginners, Please (1955, Mills & Boon) Fetters of a Dream (1956, Mills & Boon) Romance Goes Tenting (1956, Mills & Boon) Safari with Wings (1957, Mills & Boon) Cupid in Mayfair (1958, Mills & Boon) Wife on Approval (1958, Mills & Boon) Food of Love (1959, Mills & Boon) Ace of Hearts (1960, Mills & Boon) Call Me Cousin (1960, Mills & Boon) Cupid Under Capricorn (1961, Mills & Boon) Maiden's Castle (1962, Mills & Boon) Voyage into Happiness (1962, Mills & Boon) Ward of Court (1963, Mills & Boon) A Brother for Jane (1964, Mills & Boon) Make Up Your Mind, Nurse (1964, Mills & Boon) The Wonderful Year (1964, Mills & Boon) Bolt of Cupid, (1965, Mills & Boon) The Heart is Highland (1965, Mills & Boon) Tread Warily (1966, Mills & Boon) The Magic of the Moon (1967, Mills & Boon) The Time for Loving (1972, Mills & Boon, republished in the Woman's Weekly Library, 1974)

Adult thrillers Brides of the Devil (1946), published under the name Jacqueline Yorke