Birth of Rebecca West
Rebecca West was born Cicely Isabel Fairfield in London and later became an influential novelist and critic.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Rebecca West Biography and Timeline
Follow Rebecca West through 41 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Rebecca West, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
41Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1892–2003Years on this page
1892
1911
Adopts Rebecca West Pen Name
Cicely Fairfield adopted the pen name Rebecca West from a character in Henrik Ibsen's Rosmersholm.
1912
Begins Writing for The Freewoman
West became associated with feminist journalism and wrote for The Freewoman.
1913
Begins Relationship with H G Wells
West began a relationship with novelist H G Wells that influenced her personal life and writing.
1914
Indissoluble Matrimony
West published the story Indissoluble Matrimony in the modernist magazine Blast.
Birth of Anthony West
West gave birth to Anthony West, who would become a writer and critic.
1916
Henry James Study
West published Henry James, a critical study of the American novelist.
1918
The Return of the Soldier
Publication of "The Return of the Soldier"
1922
The Judge
West published The Judge, a novel exploring gender, family obligations and moral judgment.
1928
The Strange Necessity
West published The Strange Necessity, a collection of literary essays and criticism.
1929
Harriet Hume
West published Harriet Hume, a novel concerning music, politics and psychological insight.
1930
Marriage to Henry Maxwell Andrews
West married the banker Henry Maxwell Andrews while maintaining her literary career.
1931
Ending in Earnest
West published Ending in Earnest, a collection of essays and literary criticism.
1932
Arnold Bennett Himself
West published Arnold Bennett Himself, an assessment of the novelist's life and art.
1933
Saint Augustine
West published Saint Augustine, a biographical and critical portrait of the theologian.
1934
The Modern Rakes Progress
West contributed to The Modern Rake's Progress in collaboration with cartoonist David Low.
1935
The Harsh Voice
West published The Harsh Voice, a collection of four short novels.
1937
Yugoslav Journey
West travelled through Yugoslavia gathering experiences and observations for her major travel book.
1941
Black Lamb and Grey Falcon
West published Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, a sweeping literary study of Yugoslav history and society.
1942
Wartime Commentary
West continued political and cultural journalism during the Second World War.
1945
European Reporting
West wrote about European political and social upheaval in the aftermath of the war.
1946
Nuremberg Trial Reporting
West reported on the Nuremberg trials and examined the moral and political consequences of Nazism.
1947
The Meaning of Treason
West published The Meaning of Treason, an investigation of espionage and political betrayal.
1955
A Train of Powder
West published A Train of Powder, essays examining trials, justice and the consequences of violence.
1956
Journalistic Commentary on Suez
West commented on contemporary British politics and international affairs through journalism.
1957
Order of the British Empire Recognition
West was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her literary achievements.
1964
The Birds Fall Down
West published The Birds Fall Down, a novel dealing with Russian espionage and political intrigue.
1966
The Fountain Overflows
West published The Fountain Overflows, the first novel of her autobiographical family trilogy.
1967
Literary Interviews and Essays
West continued to discuss modern fiction, politics and feminist questions through interviews and criticism.
1974
Dame Commander Recognition
West was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
1978
Critical Reassessment of Fiction
West's fiction attracted renewed critical attention for its treatment of women's lives and political history.
1982
Death of Rebecca West
West died in London after a long career as a novelist, critic and journalist.
1984
The Young Rebecca
The Young Rebecca collected West's early journalism and writings from the prewar feminist press.
1985
The Sentinel
The Sentinel, an unfinished early novel by West, was published posthumously.
1986
Sunflower
West's unfinished novel Sunflower appeared after her death.
1987
This Real Night
This Real Night, a continuation of West's family saga, was published posthumously.
1995
Cousin Rosamund
West's unfinished family novel Cousin Rosamund was published posthumously.
1996
Survivors in Mexico
Survivors in Mexico, West's account of Mexican travels, was published posthumously.
2000
Rediscovery of The Return of the Soldier
Scholars continued examining West's treatment of wartime trauma in The Return of the Soldier.
2003
Publication of Selected Letters
Collections of West's correspondence increased access to her intellectual and literary networks.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.