Florence Bell (writer)  Dame Florence Eveleen Eleanore Bell, (née Olliffe; 9 September 1851 - 16 May 1930) was a British writer and playwright. Bell was born in Paris, France in 1851, the youngest of four children of Irish-born Joseph Francis Olliffe (later Sir Joseph Olliffe) and Laura Cubitt. She was the second wife of Sir Hugh Bell, 2nd Baronet Bell of Rounton Grange, and was styled Lady Florence Bell. The couple had three children:   Bell was the stepmother to her husband's children from his first marriage: British explorer and key political figure in the Middle East, Gertrude Bell (1868–1926) and Maurice, 3rd Baronet (1871–1944). In 1918 she was appointed as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). She died on 16 May 1930 at her home, 95 Sloane Street, Chelsea.