F.E. Mills Young

(b. Twickenham, Middlesex, 1875 - d. Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, 06/11/1945). Author. Though now a forgotten writer, between 1903 and 1941, Florence Ethel Young (later F.E. Mills Young) was a prolific and popular novelist. She is said to have written more than 50 books, many of which were set in South Africa during momentous events in the country's contemporary history and though generally regarded as romantic fiction, dealt with a wide variety of subjects.

Her novel Sam's Kid (published 1911), was filmed in 1922 for African Film Productions by Leander De Cordova and starred Dick Cruikshanks, Gertrude McCoy, Hayford Hobbs and M.A. Wetherell. Another of her books, Myles Calthrope I.D.B., was filmed In Hollywood as Thou Art the Man (Thomas N. Heffron/1920), with Robert Warwick and Lois Wilson in the leading roles. When she died in Cape Town in November 1945, it was reported that her home was in Devonshire, England. (FO)