Ursula Holden
Encyclopedia
Ursula Holden is an English novelist, author of thirteen novels often inspired by her time spent in Ireland. She has been compared to Muriel Spark, Ivy Compton Burnett and Jean Rhys. Her first novel, Endless Race, was published when she was 54.
After World War II, Holden went to Ireland where she became a model in Dublin's Art School. Her marriage of thirty two years to William Sidney Dixon was dissolved in 1970.
It was at a creative writing class at Chiswick Polytechnic in 1968 that she began to realize her talent for writing. After being signed by Andrew Hewson of the John Johnson Literary Agency, her first three novels were published by London Magazine Editions. Admiring her work, the editor of London Magazine
, Alan Ross
, fostered Holden's career until his death in 2001.
Holden's dedication to writing was recognized by the Royal Society of Literature
with the award of a fellowship in 2010. In her early career, Holden's writing room was a booth in the typing room of the British Library. Over the years she benefitted from writers' retreats, and spent some time at the Millay, Yaddo and McDowell Colonies for Artists. The authors who have most influenced her include Jean Rhys
, Rosamund Lehmann,Ernest Dowson
and Samuel Beckett
.
She has never sought fame. 'I couldn't give up the writing time necessary to enter public life. Samuel Beckett stayed in his miserable little flat and hid away, even after he'd been awarded the Nobel prize. I utterly endorse that, but it takes guts.'. A photo portrait of her by Fay Godwin
is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
These days her writing space is a private room at a Nursing Home in London. 'I write to live and live to write,' she says, and keeps to her daily practice. Her Tin Toys trilogy is to be republished by Virago in 2013.
Biography
Ursula Holden was born 8 August 1921, in Bridport, Dorset, fourth daughter of five children of Una and Andrew Holden. Her father worked abroad, mostly in Egypt and Holden was educated at home by a governess before going to high school, aged 11, and then to board at St Michael's School, Bognor Regis, at the age of 15.After World War II, Holden went to Ireland where she became a model in Dublin's Art School. Her marriage of thirty two years to William Sidney Dixon was dissolved in 1970.
It was at a creative writing class at Chiswick Polytechnic in 1968 that she began to realize her talent for writing. After being signed by Andrew Hewson of the John Johnson Literary Agency, her first three novels were published by London Magazine Editions. Admiring her work, the editor of London Magazine
London Magazine
The London Magazine is a historied publication of arts, literature and miscellaneous interests. Its history ranges nearly three centuries and several reincarnations, publishing the likes of William Wordsworth, William S...
, Alan Ross
Alan Ross
Alan John Ross, , was a British poet, writer and editor. He was born in Calcutta, India, where he spent the first seven years of his life...
, fostered Holden's career until his death in 2001.
Holden's dedication to writing was recognized by the Royal Society of Literature
Royal Society of Literature
The Royal Society of Literature is the "senior literary organisation in Britain". It was founded in 1820 by George IV, in order to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". The Society's first president was Thomas Burgess, who later became the Bishop of Salisbury...
with the award of a fellowship in 2010. In her early career, Holden's writing room was a booth in the typing room of the British Library. Over the years she benefitted from writers' retreats, and spent some time at the Millay, Yaddo and McDowell Colonies for Artists. The authors who have most influenced her include Jean Rhys
Jean Rhys
Jean Rhys , born Ella Gwendolen Rees Williams, was a mid 20th-century novelist from Dominica. Educated from the age of 16 in Great Britain, she is best known for her novel Wide Sargasso Sea , written as a "prequel" to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.-Early life:Rhys was born in Roseau, Dominica...
, Rosamund Lehmann,Ernest Dowson
Ernest Dowson
Ernest Christopher Dowson , born in Lee, London, was an English poet, novelist and writer of short stories, associated with the Decadent movement.- Biography :...
and Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
.
She has never sought fame. 'I couldn't give up the writing time necessary to enter public life. Samuel Beckett stayed in his miserable little flat and hid away, even after he'd been awarded the Nobel prize. I utterly endorse that, but it takes guts.'. A photo portrait of her by Fay Godwin
Fay Godwin
Fay Godwin was a noted British photographer, most widely known for her black-and-white landscapes of the British countryside and coast.-Career:Through her husband, Godwin was introduced to the London literary scene...
is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
These days her writing space is a private room at a Nursing Home in London. 'I write to live and live to write,' she says, and keeps to her daily practice. Her Tin Toys trilogy is to be republished by Virago in 2013.