Elma Napier

Elma Napier (née Gordon-Cumming; 23 March 1892 – 12 November 1973), also known as Elma Gibbs and by the pen-name Elizabeth Garner, was a Scottish-born writer and politician who lived most of her life in the Caribbean island of Dominica. She published several novels and memoirs based on her life, and was the first woman elected to the legislature in Dominica. Early life Born Elma Gordon-Cumming in Scotland, the eldest of five siblings born to Sir William Gordon-Cumming, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 4th Battalion, The Scots Guards (1848–1930) and his wife, Florence Josephine Gordon-Cumming (née Garner; 1870–1922), an heiress whose own fortunes would slump during the marriage. Elma's father was a landowner, soldier, adventurer and socialite. Elma's siblings were: Major Sir Alexander Penrose, MC, 5th Bt. (1893–1939) Roualeyn (1895–1928) Michael Willoughby (1901–82) Cicely (1904–70) Elma later adopted her mother's maiden name as a pen name. Her Army officer father's reputation had been ruined shortly before her birth, in what became known as the Royal Baccarat Scandal. In 1891, he was accused of cheating in a game of baccarat with the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). Sir William sued for defamation and lost.