We were saddened to hear of the recent death of Joanna Trollope, a much-loved member of the Society of Authors for almost 40 years and an SoA Fellow.
Over the course of a career spanning more than 50 years she wrote more than 20 contemporary novels and 10 historical novels, published under the pseudonym Caroline Harvey. Several of her later novels were adapted for the screen, including A Village Affair, The Choir, Other People’s Children and The Rector’s Wife.
Speaking during one of our online Afternoon tea sessions in 2020, Trollope discussed how she developed ideas for her novels by “tapping into the zeitgeist”.
She said: “Having identified what it is that people are concerned about, and very preoccupied about, I then go in for the jugular.”
Watch the full recording of Afternoon tea with Joanna Trollope here.
Alongside writing novels, Trollope chaired book prizes, authored a 2006 study of women in the British Empire called Britannia’s Daughters, and edited a 1993 anthology of rural life called The Country Habit. She received an OBE in 1996 for services to charity and was made a CBE in 2019 for services to literature.
She was also an active member of the Society of Authors and served on our Management Committee.
Mark Le Fanu, who knew Joanna Trollope personally, is an SoA Fellow and served on the SoA’s staff as General Secretary from 1982 to 2011. He said: “Joanna was a great supporter of other authors, whether judging prizes or giving her personal backing to campaigns.
“With a twinkle in her eye she was able to captivate ministers and get things done. It was fun briefing her and then observing her charm and persuasive powers in action.”
Nicola Solomon, the SoA’s Chief Executive from 2011 to 2024, also worked closely with Trollope and remembers her warmth and wisdom. She said: “Joanna Trollope was one of the first authors to contact me when I started at the SoA. She was personally extraordinarily supportive and often took me out for a coffee and a catch up.
“She was unfailingly interested, engaged and very wise about the SoA and its issues. She was also huge fun. We will all miss her wisdom, elegance, warmth and wit.”
