Date of Birth: August 25, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: November 9, 2001
Biography
Dorothy Dunnett, born Dorothy Halliday on August 25, 1923, in Dunfermline, Scotland, was a Scottish historical novelist best known for her meticulously researched and vividly written series of historical novels. She initially worked as a professional portrait painter and exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy. Dunnett turned to writing in the 1960s, creating her first major series, “The Lymond Chronicles,” which follows the adventures of the fictional Francis Crawford of Lymond in the 16th century. This was followed by “The House of Niccolò,” another historical series set in the 15th century. Dunnett’s novels are celebrated for their complex characters, intricate plots, and deep historical context.
5 Interesting Facts about Dorothy Dunnett
1. Dorothy Dunnett was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature in 1992.
2. She was a member of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
3. In addition to her historical novels, Dunnett wrote a series of mystery novels featuring Johnson Johnson, a portrait painter and spy.
4. Dunnett was fluent in several languages, including French, Latin, and Italian, which greatly aided her historical research.
5. Her husband, Alastair Dunnett, was a renowned journalist and editor of The Scotsman newspaper.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dorothy Dunnett
1. “Lovers cannot imagine any opposition, no matter how tiny, from their beloved.”
2. “We are all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, only to discover what is already there.”
3. “You don’t need to know what you can do; you need to know what you can’t do. And then go and do that.”
4. “History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.”
5. “The human mind is a much more complex object than we can imagine, and it is capable of far more than we could ever guess.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Dorothy Dunnett’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, primarily from her book sales and literary awards.
Children
Dorothy Dunnett had two sons, Ninian and Mungo Dunnett.
Relevant Links
1. [Dorothy Dunnett Society](https://www.dorothydunnett.org/
2. [Wikipedia – Dorothy Dunnett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Dunnett
3. [Goodreads Author Profile](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9026.Dorothy_Dunnett
4. [Literature Scotland Profile](https://www.literaturewales.org/writers-of-wales/dorothy-dunnett/
5. [The Guardian Obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/nov/14/guardianobituaries.books