October 27, 2021 -- Enid Bagnold, married name Lady Jones, (born October 27, 1889, Rochester, Kent, England—died March 31, 1981, London), English novelist and playwright who was known for her broad range of subject and style. Bagnold’s best-known work is the novel National Velvet (1935), which tells the story of an ambitious 14-year-old girl who rides to victory in Great Britain’s Grand National steeplechase on a horse bought for only £10; a motion picture of the same title was made from the novel in 1944.
The Reader’s Notebook: Enid Bagnold

National Portrait Gallery, London