E. M. Delafield, the pen name of Edmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood, née de la Pasture (1890–1943), was an English author best known for her largely autobiographical 'Diary of a Provincial Lady' series. Educated at convent schools in England and France, Delafield's literary career began after her service in World War I, working at the Volunteer Aid Detachment. Her experiences during this time profoundly influenced her writing, as seen in her novel 'The War-Workers' (1918), which offered a comedic yet insightful look at the tribulations and absurdities faced by women on the home front during the war. Delafield's astute social commentary coupled with her satirical wit often compared her to her contemporaries, such as Virginia Woolf, although her literary style was more accessible and humorously domestic. Her later novel, 'Consequences' (1919), departs from her typical comedic prose, offering a more somber exploration of the societal expectations of women and the consequences of defying them. Throughout her career, Delafield penned numerous works, effectively employing irony and observational humor to provide poignant critiques of middle-class life in England. Her legacy endures as a pioneering female voice, adeptly capturing the nuanced interior world of women navigating the cultural landscape of the early 20th century.