Mary Renault

1905–1983

1 series 10 books in order 7 standalone books

Eileen Mary Challans (1905–1983), known by her pen name Mary Renault, was an English writer who is best known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece. She was born in Forest Gate in 1905 and attended St Hugh's College, Oxford, from 1924 to 1928. After graduating with a Third Class in English, she worked as a nurse and began writing contemporary romances. In 1948, she moved to South Africa with her partner, Julie Mullard, where she spent the rest of her life. Living in South Africa allowed her to write about openly gay characters without the censorship and homophobia she faced in England. She focused on historical fiction in the 1950s, which became her most successful works. Her novels often explored themes of love, sexuality, and relationships. Her work attracted a large gay audience at the time of publication, as few mainstream works depicted homosexuality positively. Renault's writing received generally positive critical reception, and she was honored with numerous awards during her lifetime and posthumously.

Born

1905

Known for

Alexander the Great Trilogy