Marjorie Bowen was born on November 1, 1885, on Hayling Island, Hampshire and died December 23, 1952.  She was a novelist and writer whose total output numbers over 150 volumes (the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym). She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances full of terror and mystery.