Elisabeth Kyle, pseudonym of Agnes Mary Robertson Dunlop, (born 1 January 1901, died 23 February 1982), was a Scottish writer of novels, children's books and travel literature. She used the pen name Jan Ralston for publication of one of her books in the United States.

Biography

Agnes Mary Robertson Dunlop was born in

Ayr Ayr (; sco, Ayr; gd, Inbhir Àir, "Mouth of the River Ayr") is a town situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. It is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire council area and the historic county town of Ayrshire. With a population ...

, Scotland on 1 January 1901. Her mother was Elizabeth Riddell Dunlop and her father was James Dunlop, a lawyer in the family firm. He was keen on literature, introducing his daughter to the classics and monitoring the books to which she was exposed. He died when she was nine years old but had a lasting influence on her life. As a child she had no particular intention of becoming an author, and when she finished her education became a journalist, first with the ''

Manchester Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the G ...

'' and then with the ''

Glasgow Herald ''The Herald'' is a Scottish broadsheet newspaper founded in 1783. ''The Herald'' is the longest running national newspaper in the world and is the eighth oldest daily paper in the world. The title was simplified from ''The Glasgow Herald'' in ...

''. Her journalism includes articles about other Scottish women writers such as

Mary Cleland Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also cal ...

and

Nan Shepherd Anna "Nan" Shepherd (11 February 1893 – 27 February 1981) was a Scottish Modernist writer and poet, best known for her seminal mountain memoir, ''The Living Mountain'', based on experiences of hill walking in the Cairngorms. This is noted as a ...

. Kyle's earliest published works were stories in children's annuals. A large part of her output was books for children, published between the 1930s and 1980. Many of these were historical novels designed for a young audience, with heroines such as

Charlotte Brontë Charlotte Brontë (, commonly ; 21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855) was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood and whose novels became classics of English literature. She enlisted i ...

Mary II of England Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife A ...

Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale (; 12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, i ...

and

Clara Schumann Clara Josephine Schumann (; née Wieck; 13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896) was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher. Regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era, she exerted her influence over the course of a ...

. She wrote several novels for adult, including ''The Begonia Bed'' (1934), ''The Pleasure Dome'' (1943), ''The Tontine Belle'' (1951), and ''The Other Miss Evans'' (1958). She gave radio talks and wrote radio plays for children and adults. One of her novels for adults, ''The Regent's Candlesticks'' (1954), was broadcast on the

BBC Light Programme The BBC Light Programme was a national radio station which broadcast chiefly mainstream light entertainment and light music from 1945 until 1967, when it was replaced by BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1. It opened on 29 July 1945, taking over the ...

Book at Bedtime ''Book at Bedtime'' (''A Book at Bedtime'' until 9 July 1993) is a long-running radio programme that is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 each weekday evening between 22.45 and 23.00. The programme presents readings of fiction, including modern classics ...

in 1995. Dunlop was a friend of

Josephine Tey Josephine Tey was a pseudonym used by Elizabeth MacKintosh (25 July 1896 – 13 February 1952), a Scottish author. Her novel '' The Daughter of Time'' was a detective work investigating the role of Richard III of England in the death of the Pr ...

and corresponded with her.

Bibliography

* ''The Begonia Bed'' (1934): Constable & Co. (

romance novel A romance novel or romantic novel generally refers to a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and Romance (love), romantic love between two people, and usually has an "emotionally satisfying and optimis ...

) * ''Orangefield'' (1938): Constable (novel for adults) * ''The Mirrors of Versailles'' (1939): Constable (travel) * ''Broken Glass'' (1940): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Visitors from England'' (1941), illustrated by A. Mason Trotter: Peter Davies Ltd. (children's book) Republished in the US as ''The Mystery of the Good Adventure'' as by Jan Ralston (Dodd Mead, 1950) * ''The White Lady'' (1941): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Vanishing Island'' (1942), illustrated by A. Mason Trotter: Peter Davies Ltd. (children's book; sequel to ''Visitors from England'') * ''But We Are Exiles'' (1942): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Behind the Waterfall'' (1943), illustrated by A. Mason Trotter: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Pleasure Dome'' (1943): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Seven Sapphires'' (1944), illustrated by

Nora Fry Lavrin Nora Lavrin, ''née'' Fry (1897 – 30 August 1985), was an English engraver, book illustrator and painter. She illustrated twenty editions of children's books. Early life Nora Fry was born in Liverpool, the daughter of Canadian-born Amb ...

: Peter Davies 957 edition illustrated by Leslie Atkinson and published by Thomas Nelson(children's book) * ''The Skaters' Waltz'' (1944): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Holly Hotel'' (1945), illustrated by Nora Fry Lavrin: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Carp Country'' (1946): Peter Davies Ltd. (novel for adults set in

Southern Bohemia The South Bohemian Region ( cs, Jihočeský kraj; , ) is an administrative unit (''kraj'') of the Czech Republic, located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of Bohemia, with a small part in southwestern Moravia. The western part ...

) * ''The Mirrors of Castle Doone'' (1947), illustrated by Nora Fry Lavrin: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Mally Lee'' (1947): Peter Davies Ltd. (

mystery fiction Mystery is a fiction genre where the nature of an event, usually a murder or other crime, remains mysterious until the end of the story. Often within a closed circle of suspects, each suspect is usually provided with a credible motive and a re ...

) * ''Lost Karin'' (1947), illustrated by Nora Fry Lavrin: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''West Wind'' (1948), illustrated by Francis Gower: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''A Man of Talent'' (1948): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The House on the Hill'' (1949), illustrated by Francis Gower: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Douce'' (1950): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Provost's Jewel'' (1950), illustrated by Joy Colesworthy: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Tontine Belle'' (1951): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Lintowers'' (1951), illustrated by

Joy Colesworthy The word joy refers to the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, and is typically associated with feelings of intense, long lasting happiness. Dictionary definitions Dictionary definitions of joy typically include a sense of ...

: Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Conor Sands'' (1952): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Captain's House'' (1952), illustrated by Joy Colesworthy: Peter Davies 977 edition illustrated by Cheslie D'Andrea and published by White Lion Publishers">Cheslie_D'Andrea.html" ;"title="977 edition illustrated by Cheslie D'Andrea">977 edition illustrated by Cheslie D'Andrea and published by White Lion Publishers* ''Forgotten as a Dream'' (1953): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Reiver's Road'' (1953), illustrated by A. H. Watson: Thomas Nelson (published in the United States of America as ''On Lennox Moor'') * ''The House of the Pelican'' (1954), illustrated by Peggy Fortnum: Thomas Nelson (children's novel set in Edinburgh at the Edinburgh Festival) * ''The Regent's Candlesticks'' (1954) * ''Caroline House'' (1955), illustrated by Robert Hodgson: Thomas Nelson * ''A Stillness in the Air'' (1956): Peter Davies Ltd. (travel) * ''Run to Earth'' (1957), illustrated by Mary Shillabeer: Thomas Nelson * ''Maid of Orleans. The story of

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the corona ...

'' (1957), illustrated by Robert Hodgson: Thomas Nelson * ''Queen of Scots. The story of

Mary Stuart Mary Stuart or Mary Stewart may refer to: People *Mary Stewart, Countess of Buchan (before 1428–1465), fifth daughter of James I of Scotland, 1st Countess of Buchan *Mary of Guelders (c. 1434–1463), queen to James II of Scotland * Mary Stewart, ...

'' (1957), illustrated by Robert Hodgson: Thomas Nelson * ''The Other Miss Evans'' (1958): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Money Cat'' (1958), illustrated by

Cecil Leslie Cecil Mary Leslie (1900–1980) was an engraver, portrait painter, sculptor and illustrator. Biography Leslie was born in London and studied at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in 1919 and then at the London School of Photolithography and Eng ...

Hamish Hamilton Hamish Hamilton Limited was a British book publishing house, founded in 1931 eponymously by the half- Scot half- American Jamie Hamilton (''Hamish'' is the vocative form of the Gaelic Seumas eaning James ''James'' the English form – which ...

(children's book) * ''Oh say, can you see'' (1959): Peter Davies Ltd. (travel) * ''Eagles' Nest'' (1961), illustrated by Juliete Palmer: Nelson * ''Girl with a Lantern'' (1961), illustrated by Douglas Relf: Nelson * ''Girl with an Easel'' (1962), illustrated by

Charles Mozley Charles Alfred Mozley (29 May 1914 – 11 January 1991) was a British artist who was also a teacher. He was a prolific book illustrator and designer of book covers, posters and prints. Biography Mozley was born in Darnall, Sheffield, and, ...

: Evans Bros (biography of Vigee Le Brun) * ''Return to the Alcazar'' (1962): Peter Davies Ltd. (romance novel) * ''Girl with a Pen. The story of

'' (1963), illustrated by Charles Mozley: Evans Bros * ''

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

; the story of a great queen'' (1964), illustrated by

Annette MacArthur-Onslow Annette may refer to: Film and television * '' Walt Disney Presents: Annette'', 1950s television series * ''Annette'' (film), a 2021 musical film Other * Annette (given name), list of people with the name * Annette Island, Alaska * Tropical Sto ...

: Thomas Nelson * ''Girl with a Song; the story of

Jenny Lind Johanna Maria "Jenny" Lind (6 October 18202 November 1887) was a Swedish opera singer, often called the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she performed in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and a ...

'' (1964), illustrated by Charles Mozley: Evans Bros * ''Girl with a Destiny : the story of

Mary of Orange Mary, Princess Royal (Mary Henrietta Stuart; 4 November 1631 – 24 December 1660), was an English princess, a member of the House of Stuart, and by marriage Princess of Orange and Countess of Nassau. She acted as regent for her minor son from 16 ...

'' (1965), illustrations by Charles Mozley: Evans Bros * ''The Boy who Asked for More: the early life of

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...

'' (1966): Evans Bros * ''Love is for the Living'' (1966): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Duet: the story of

Clara Clara may refer to: Organizations * CLARA, Latin American academic computer network organization * Clara.Net, a European ISP * Consolidated Land and Rail Australia, a property development consortium People * Clara (given name), a feminine giv ...

and

Robert Schumann Robert Schumann (; 8 June 181029 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career a ...

'' (1968): Evans Bros * ''Queen's Evidence'' (1969): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Song of the Waterfall: the story of

Edvard Edvard is a form of Edward and may refer to: * Edvard Askeland (born 1954), Norwegian jazz musician * Edvard Befring (born 1936), Norwegian educationalist * Edvard Beneš (1884–1948), Czech politician * Edvard Christian Danielsen (1888–1964) ...

and

Nina Grieg Nina Grieg, née Hagerup (24 November 1845 – 9 December 1935) was a Danish– Norwegian lyric soprano. Early life and family Nina Hagerup was born in Bergen, Norway. She was the first cousin of composer Edvard Grieg, whom she married. Ca ...

'' (1970): Evans Bros * ''Mirror Dance'' (1970): Peter Davies Ltd. (novel for adults) * ''The Scent of Danger'' (1971): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''The Stilt Walkers'' (1972):

Heinemann Heinemann may refer to: * Heinemann (surname) * Heinemann (publisher), a publishing company * Heinemann Park, a.k.a. Pelican Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States See also * Heineman Heineman is a surname. Notable people with the surnam ...

* ''The Silver Pineapple'' (1972): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Through the Wall'' (1973), illustrated by Philip Moon: Heinemann * ''The Heron Tree'' (1973): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''High Season'' (1974): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Free as Air'' (1974): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''Down the Water'' (1975) (novel for adults) * ''The Key of the Castle'' (1976), illustrated by Joanna Troughton: Heinemann (children's historical novel) * ''The Yellow Coach'' (1976), illustrated by

Alexy Pendle Alexy is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * A.J. Alexy (born 1998), American baseball player * Gillian Alexy Gillian Alexy (born March 13, 1986) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her roles as Tayler Geddes on '' ...

: Heinemann (children's historical novel set in France) * ''All the Nice Girls'' 1976 Magna Print (novel for adults) * ''The Burning Hill'' (1977): Magna Print (novel for adults) * ''The Stark Inheritance'' (1978): Peter Davies Ltd. * ''A Summer Scandal'' 1979 Magna Print (novel for adults) * ''The Deed Box'' (1981): Hale * ''Bridge of the Blind Man'' (1983): Hale

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kyle, Elisabeth 1901 births 1982 deaths 20th-century Scottish novelists 20th-century Scottish women writers Scottish women novelists British women children's writers