Ian McCorquodale October 11, 1937 – February 10, 2023

Keeper of the Flame of Pure Romance

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we pass on the news that Ian McCorquodale, the eldest son of Barbara Cartland has passed away after a short illness.
Although this is a profoundly sad time for the family and our close-knit team, it’s heartening to reflect that Ian’s legacy would make his mother very happy. Since her passing – and indeed since long before – Ian devoted his life to gladdening the hearts of countless millions of avid Barbara Cartland readers, by re-issuing every single one of her 700+ romances.
No one could be better qualified to take on that huge task, as Ian committed his career to publishing the works of Dame Barbara. Starting in his thirties, he worked tirelessly with his mother on her globe-trotting adventures, acting as a diplomat and opener of doors, managing global publishing rights and TV appearances and arranging the translations that made Barbara Cartland the undisputed Queen of Romance worldwide.
Even with his passing, Ian’s legacy is immense: a body of Romantic Fiction unparalleled in the publishing world – and a legacy his daughters Iona and Tara and the team at Barbara Cartland will continue to honour, as we publish her works in all formats, digital and print.
Ian was one of an increasingly rare breed: a gentleman in the true sense of the word with a kind word for everyone and a twinkle in his eye. As the Daily Telegraph’s poignant obituary so eloquently put it, Ian McCorquodale was “the keeper of the flame of the ‘Queen of Romance’”. The flame may have dwindled but the fire never dies.

Rest in Peace, Ian.

With love from all of us.