Stuart Kelly is a Scottish critic and writer whose works span literary criticism, biography, and cultural history. He is best known for "The Book of Lost Books: An Incomplete Guide to All the Books You'll Never Read" (2005), a unique exploration of literature that never survived, and "Scott-Land: The Man Who Invented a Nation" (2010), which was longlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. His later work, "The Minister and the Murderer" (2018), delves into true crime and moral complexity, further showcasing his versatility as a nonfiction author.
Raised in the Scottish Borders and educated at Balliol College, Oxford, Kelly earned a first-class degree and a Master of Studies in English. His writing often reflects his deep engagement with literary history and Scottish culture, as seen in his acclaimed biography of Walter Scott. Kelly contributes to major publications such as "The Scotsman", "Scotland on Sunday", "The Guardian", and "The Times", establishing himself as a respected voice in contemporary criticism. In 2016–2017, he served as president of the Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club, underscoring his enduring connection to Scotland's literary heritage.