Django email auth backend via @rainerborene

backends.py

#===============================================================================
# Django email auth backend
#===============================================================================

from django.contrib.auth.backends import ModelBackend
from django.contrib.auth.models import User  

class EmailBackend(ModelBackend):
    
    def authenticate(self, **credentials):
        if not 'email' in credentials:
            return super(EmailBackend, self).authenticate(**credentials)
        
        try:
            user = User.objects.get(email=credentials.get('email'))
            if user.check_password(credentials.get('password')):
                return user
        except User.DoesNotExist:
            return None