Biography

Dorothy Dunnett was an artist, novelist, and keen supporter of the arts in Scotland. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, Dunnett considered a career as an artist but as World War Two broke out she took a job as a civil servant. Following the war she began to paint and built up a reputation as a portrait painter. She accepted private commissions and painted many leading Scottish figures, alongside exhibiting regularly at the Royal Scottish Academy. Although she was an established artist, Dunnett is best known for her literary work. She penned two series of historical fiction novels which garnered huge followings. Dunnett was awarded an OBE in 1992 and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, serving on various committees and boards in Scotland connected with books, films and the arts.