Clemence Dane, today almost forgotten, once earned the title of "the most distinguished woman dramatist in the theatre" from St. John Ervine, a major critic and playwright of the 1920s and 1930s. Ervine qualified his statement with what is, sadly, the reason Dane's reputation dimmed Said Ervine, "even she has not produced work equal in merit to the great men dramatists.... [Women] are 'oncers' at best and unlikely ever to offer serious rivalry to men."

Dane, born Winifred Ashton, was indeed a "oncer." Her greatest public and critical success came with her first play, A Bill of Divorcement (1921), later plays gaining critical plaudits but little public recognition. Although thoroughly devoted to writing, Dane may have been best known for her long love affair with London, culminating in her book London Has a Garden (1964), a history of Covent Garden as well as her memoirs.

Dane's literary interest surfaced early...