Jane Dunn is a distinguished biographer and historical novelist known for her meticulously researched works. She gained prominence with her biographies, including "Moon in Eclipse: A Life of Mary Shelley," "A Very Close Conspiracy: Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf," and "Antonia White: A Life." Her critically acclaimed "Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens" became a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, spending seven weeks in the top ten. Dunn later expanded her repertoire with "Read My Heart: Dorothy Osborne and Sir William Temple, a Love Story in the Age of Revolution" and "Daphne du Maurier and Her Sisters," solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in literary biography.
After beginning her career in editorial work at British Vogue, Dunn transitioned to biography while raising her children. Her fascination with historical figures and relationships is evident in her nuanced explorations of complex personalities. In recent years, she has ventured into historical fiction, crafting standalone Regency-era novels such as "The Marriage Season," "An Unsuitable Heiress," and "A Scandalous Match," drawing inspiration from her earlier research on Romantic-era figures.
A fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Dunn resides in Berkshire with her husband, linguist Nicholas Ostler. Her works reflect a deep engagement with history, whether through the lens of biography or fiction, earning her a dedicated readership and critical praise for her vivid storytelling and historical authenticity.
Standalone Novels
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Marriage Season
2023
2
An Unsuitable Heiress
2023
3
A Scandalous Match
2024
4
A Lady's Fortune
2024
Non-Fiction Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Moon In Eclipse: A Life Of Mary Shelley
1978
2
Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell
1990
3
A Very Close Conspiracy: Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf