Blackmore, R. D. (1825-1900), a British author, is best known for the historical romantic novel Lorna Doone (1869). The love story is set in the late 1600’s in Exmoor, where Blackmore spent much of his youth. Blackmore wrote 14 historical and adventure novels, including Cradock Nowell (1866), The Maid of Sker (1872), Mary Anerley (1880), Springhaven (1887), and Perleycross (1894). But none approached the popularity of Lorna Doone. In addition, Blackmore translated Greek and Latin poetry.
Richard Doddridge Blackmore was born on June 7, 1825, in Oxfordshire, England. He lived in Devon as a child and learned the legends of the Doone clan there. He studied at Oxford University and practiced law, but he gave up law after he inherited some money and took to writing. After publishing some poems, he began his career as a novelist with Clara Vaughan (1864). Blackmore died on Jan. 20, 1900.
