Philippa Gregory is fascinated by Tudor England. In addition to four modern novels, one book of short stories and four children’s books, her 14 historical novels have concentrated on Mary Queen of Scots, Katherine of Aragon and Elizabeth I, among others. Born in Kenya, the 54-year-old studied in Brighton and Edinburgh before working as a journalist. Her first novel, Wideacre, was written while she was working on her PhD. This year, her novel The Other Boleyn Girl was adapted into a film. Gregory is married and lives in North Yorkshire.

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