Barbara Taylor Bradford
Encyclopedia
Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE (born 10 May 1933) is an English novelist, and one of the world's most beloved storytellers. Her debut novel
, A Woman of Substance
, was published in 1979 and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide. To date, she has written 27 novels -- all bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. Her 27th, Letter From A Stranger was released in the UK in September, 2011. It will be published in North America in April, 2012.
, Yorkshire as the only child of Freda and Winston Taylor. She grew up in the Leeds suburb of Upper Armley and after Christ Church, C of E School (where she was in the same class as Alan Bennett
) and Northcote School for Girls, she worked in the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post
before going into journalism. By the age of twenty she was the fashion editor of Woman's Own
Magazine and an editor and columnist on Fleet Street
for the London Evening News
.
Bradford's books have sold more than 88 million copies worldwide in more than 90 countries and 40 languages. Ten of her books have been made into television mini-series and television movies, produced by her husband, Robert Bradford.
Currently, one of the richest living authors, Bradford's personal wealth has exceeded £145 million, making her one of the wealthiest women in the UK. The 2009 Sunday Times Rich List estimated her wealth at around £166 million, making her the 31st wealthiest woman in Britain.
It has been reported that she is working on creating a new soap opera for the U.S. market with longtime soap writer Millee Taggart
.
In 1999, Bradford became the first living female author to be featured on a postage stamp, when she was honoured on legal tender by the nations of St. Vincent and Grenada. In 2002, she was again recognised with a postage stamp by the British Isle of Man. In April 2003, Mrs. Bradford was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America. She was awarded an OBE
by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list for her contributions to literature.
Bradford is a member of the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress. She is heavily involved in a variety of charity projects around the world including Literacy Partners, the Police Athletic League of New York City
(PAL); PACT Parents and abducted children together
US and UK Chapters; and The New York Pops Orchestra.
. These are A Woman of Substance; Hold The Dream; To Be The Best; Act of Will and Voice of the Heart.
OTHERS
COLLABORATIONS
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
, A Woman of Substance
A Woman of Substance
A Woman of Substance is a novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, and was published in 1979.This novel is the first of a saga about the fortunes of a retail empire and the machinations of the business elite across three generations....
, was published in 1979 and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide. To date, she has written 27 novels -- all bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. Her 27th, Letter From A Stranger was released in the UK in September, 2011. It will be published in North America in April, 2012.
Early years
Bradford was born in LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Yorkshire as the only child of Freda and Winston Taylor. She grew up in the Leeds suburb of Upper Armley and after Christ Church, C of E School (where she was in the same class as Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a British playwright, screenwriter, actor and author. Born in Leeds, he attended Oxford University where he studied history and performed with The Oxford Revue. He stayed to teach and research mediaeval history at the university for several years...
) and Northcote School for Girls, she worked in the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post
Yorkshire Evening Post
The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
before going into journalism. By the age of twenty she was the fashion editor of Woman's Own
Woman's Own
Woman's Own is a British lifestyle magazine aimed at women.Woman's Own was first published in 1932. It is one of the UK's most famous women's magazines and is published by IPC Media....
Magazine and an editor and columnist on Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
for the London Evening News
Evening News (London)
Evening News, formerly known as The Evening News, was an evening newspaper published in London from 1881 to 1980, reappearing briefly in 1987. It became highly popular under the control of the Harmsworth brothers. For a long time it maintained the largest daily sale of any evening newspaper in London...
.
Writing career
Her first novel, A Woman of Substance, became an enduring best-seller and according to Reuters, it ranks as one of the top-ten best-selling novels of all time. A Woman Of Substance has been followed by 26 others – all best-sellers on both sides of the Atlantic.Bradford's books have sold more than 88 million copies worldwide in more than 90 countries and 40 languages. Ten of her books have been made into television mini-series and television movies, produced by her husband, Robert Bradford.
Currently, one of the richest living authors, Bradford's personal wealth has exceeded £145 million, making her one of the wealthiest women in the UK. The 2009 Sunday Times Rich List estimated her wealth at around £166 million, making her the 31st wealthiest woman in Britain.
It has been reported that she is working on creating a new soap opera for the U.S. market with longtime soap writer Millee Taggart
Millee Taggart
Millee Taggart is an American actress, best known for her long-running role as Janet Bergman Collins on Search for Tomorrow. She portrayed the character from 1971 to 1982...
.
Personal life
Bradford lives in New York City with television producer Robert Bradford, her husband since 1963.In 1999, Bradford became the first living female author to be featured on a postage stamp, when she was honoured on legal tender by the nations of St. Vincent and Grenada. In 2002, she was again recognised with a postage stamp by the British Isle of Man. In April 2003, Mrs. Bradford was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America. She was awarded an OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list for her contributions to literature.
Bradford is a member of the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress. She is heavily involved in a variety of charity projects around the world including Literacy Partners, the Police Athletic League of New York City
Police Athletic League of New York City
The Police Athletic League, Inc. is an independent, non-profit youth development agency in New York City. PAL is funded by a combination of private donations and public funding sources and is a designated charity of the New York Police Department. Robert M. Morgenthau, retired District Attorney...
(PAL); PACT Parents and abducted children together
Parents and Abducted Children Together
Parents & Abducted Children Together is an international non-profit organisation which specialises in fighting international child abduction and in helping law enforcement agencies find missing children.-Establishment and overview:...
US and UK Chapters; and The New York Pops Orchestra.
DVD
Five of her television adaptations were re-released on DVD in the UK in September 2008 by Acorn Media UKAcorn Media UK
Acorn Media UK is a DVD publisher which distributes and sells home video products with a particular focus on British television.- Company history :The company was founded in 1997 when Lesley Fromant set up a branch of parent company Acorn Media in the UK....
. These are A Woman of Substance; Hold The Dream; To Be The Best; Act of Will and Voice of the Heart.
The Emma Harte Saga
- A Woman of SubstanceA Woman of SubstanceA Woman of Substance is a novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, and was published in 1979.This novel is the first of a saga about the fortunes of a retail empire and the machinations of the business elite across three generations....
(1979) - Hold the DreamHold the DreamHold the Dream is a British two-part miniseries made in 1986, based on the novel of the same name by Barbara Taylor Bradford. It is the second book in the Emma Harte series, following A Woman of Substance...
(1985) - To Be The Best (1988)
- Emma's Secret (2003)
- Unexpected Blessings (2005)
- Just Rewards (2005)
- Breaking The Rules (13 October 2009)
The Ravenscar Trilogy
- The Ravenscar Dynasty (2006)
- Heirs Of Ravenscar (UK) (2007) (The Heir in North America)
- Being Elizabeth (2008)
Others
- Playing The Game (October 2010)
- Three Weeks in Paris (February 2002)
- The Triumph of Katie Byrne (2001)
- Where you Belong (2000)
- A Sudden Change of Heart (1999)
- Power of a Woman (1997)
- Her Own Rules (1996)
- A Secret Affair (1996)
- Dangerous to Know (1995)
- Love in Another Town (1995)
- Everything to Gain (1994)
- Angel (1993)
- Remember (1991)
- The Woman in His Life (1990)
- Voice of the Heart (1983)
- Act of Will (1986)
- Playing The Game (3 October 2010)
- Letter From A Stranger (15 September 2011)
OTHERS
- Bradford's Living Romantically Every Day 2 October 2002
- Children's Stories of the Bible from the Old and New Testaments Deluxe 1988
- Luxury Designs for Apartment Living 1983
- Making Space Grow 1979
- How to Solve Your Decorating Problems 1976
- Easy Steps to Successful Decorating (Illustrated) 1971
- Etiquette to Please Him (How to be the Perfect Wife Series) 1969
- Children's Stories of the Bible from the old and new testments 1968
- The Complete Encyclopedia of Homemaking Ideas 1968
- Children's Stories of Jesus From the New Testament 1966
- Children's stories of the Bible from the Old Testament"" 1966
- A Garland of Children's Verse 1960
COLLABORATIONS
- The Dictionary of 1001 Famous People: Outstanding Personages in the World of Science, the Arts, Music And Literature with Samuel Nisenson"" 1966
External links
- Official website
- Official UK website
- Barbara Taylor Bradford at the Internet Book List
- Interview with Barbara Taylor Bradford on Veronika Asks
- Official website of PACT, a charity which Barbara Taylor Bradford is on the board of
- http://www.librarything.com/author/bradfordbarbarataylo
- http://search.barnesandnoble.com/used/results.aspx?CNT=Barbara+Taylor+Bradford&SRT=TA&USEDPAGETYPE=usedTitle&SZE=25&SAT=26