author
Dorothy Una Ratcliffe
1891–1967
Known for bringing Yorkshire dialect to the page, this widely traveled writer and collector turned deep affection for the Dales into poems and prose full of local voice and landscape. Her work blends literary polish with a strong sense of place, making it memorable far beyond its region.
1 Audiobook
The Dales of Arcady
by Dorothy Una Ratcliffe
About the author
Born in Sussex in 1887 and brought up in Surrey, she became closely associated with Yorkshire and was often known by her initials, D.U.R. Although not Yorkshire-born, she made the region central to her writing and became especially known for poems in Yorkshire dialect.
She was a prolific author who published dozens of books, including poetry and travel writing, and she also edited a magazine called The Microcosm. Her interests reached beyond literature: she traveled widely and built notable collections of books, manuscripts, and documents.
Later in life, her connection with Yorkshire’s literary culture remained strong. The University of Leeds notes that she considered Yorkshire her home and that she donated her so-called "Gypsy library" to the university in 1950, along with funds to support further additions. She died in 1967.