He met Emma Wightwick in 1853 and married her a decade later, on 3 January 1863, at St Marylebone, Westminster. He is recorded in the 1861 England Census as a lodger at 85 Newman St in Marylebone. He was reportedly studying chemistry at University College, London, in 1851. He consulted an oculist in Düsseldorf, Rhineland, Prussia, German Confederation. ĭu Maurier studied art in Paris, France, in the studio of Charles Gleyre, and moved to Antwerp, Belgium, where he lost the vision in his left eye. In fact, du Maurier's grandfather, Robert-Mathurin Busson, was a tradesman who left Paris, France, in 1789 to avoid charges of fraud and later changed the family name to the grander-sounding du Maurier. He was brought up to believe his aristocratic grandparents had fled from France during the Revolution, leaving vast estates behind, to live in England as émigrés. George du Maurier was born in Paris, France, son of Louis-Mathurin Busson du Maurier and wife Ellen Clarke, daughter of the Regency courtesan Mary Anne Clarke.

He was also father of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and grandfather of the five boys who inspired J. The writers Angela du Maurier and Dame Daphne du Maurier and the artist Jeanne du Maurier were all granddaughters of George. His son was the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier. George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier (6 March 1834 – 8 October 1896) was a Franco-British cartoonist and writer known for work in Punch and a Gothic novel Trilby, featuring the character Svengali.

'Now then, Mossoo, your Form is of the Manliest Beauty, and you are altogether a most attractive Object but you've stood there long enough.

Trilby by George du Maurier