Susan Hilary Spurling CBE FRSL (née Forrest; born 25 December 1940) is a British writer, known for her work as a journalist and biographer.

Early life and education

Born in Stockport, Cheshire,[1] to circuit judge Gilbert Alexander Forrest (1912–1977)[2] and teacher Emily Maureen, daughter of Joseph Armstrong, of Fivemiletown, County Tyrone,[3][4] Spurling was educated at Clifton High School, an independent school in Bristol, South West England, and then at Somerville College, Oxford.[5][6]

Career

Spurling won the Whitbread Prize for the second volume of her biography of Henri Matisse in January 2006.[7]Burying The Bones: Pearl Buck in China was published in March 2010.[8]

Personal life

In 1961, she married playwright John Spurling.[6] The couple have three children (Amy, Nathaniel, and Gilbert).[9]

Works

Awards

References

  1. ^ World Authors, 1985–1990, ed. Vineta Colby, H. W. Wilson Ltd, 1995, p. 842.
  2. ^ Who was Who: A Cumulated Index 1897–2000, A. & C. Black, 2002, p. 289.
  3. ^ The Solicitors' Journal, vol. 121, 1977, p. 648.
  4. ^ Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 95th edition, Kelly's Directories Ltd, 1969, p. 764.
  5. ^ Biography of Hilary Spurling, The Guardian
  6. ^ a b International Who's Who of Writers and Authors, 23rd edition, Europa Publications, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008, p. 685.
  7. ^ Ezard, John (25 January 2006). "Secret life of Matisse wins Whitbread prize". Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via The Guardian.
  8. ^ Shuyun, Sun (17 April 2010). "Burying the Bones: Pearl Buck in China by Hilary Spurling". Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via The Guardian.
  9. ^ Kirkpatrick, Kirk; Vinson, James, eds. (1988). "Spurling, John". Contemporary Dramatists (Fourth ed.). Chicago and London: St. James Press. p. 500. ISBN 0912289627.
  10. ^ Mabb, David. (2023). Return to Hilary Spurling's Dancing to the Music of Time (2017). Anthony Powell Newsletter 90 (spring): 3-16.
  11. ^ "Dazzling tale of Ms Saigon takes top award". The Scotsman. 20 August 2011.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byWinifred Gérin Rose Mary Crawshay Prize 1967 Succeeded byChristine AlexanderGillian Beer
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