Marie Corelli (1 May 1855 – 21 April 1924), born Mary Mackay, was a best-selling British novelist of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, whose controversial works of the time often label her as an early advocate of the New Age movement. In the 1890s Marie Corelli’s novels were eagerly devoured by millions in England, America, and the colonies. Her readers ranged from Queen Victoria and Gladstone to the poorest of shop girls. In all, she wrote thirty books, the majority of which were phenomenal best sellers. Despite the fact that her novels were either ignored or belittled by the critics, at the height of her success she was the best selling and most highly paid author in England. She was the daughter of poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter Charles Mackay. Her brother was the poet Eric Mackay. Less