Frances Lincoln
Encyclopedia
Frances Elisabeth Rosemary Lincoln (20 March 1945 – 26 February 2001) was an English
independent publisher of illustrated books. She won a Woman of the Year award in 1995.
Her university education was at Somerville College, Oxford
. (Somerville at that time was a women's college, known in Oxford
as "the bluestocking
college".) There she read Greats (the Oxford term for traditional courses in the humanities, with emphasis on the ancient classics of Greece and Rome, including philosophy).
The drug smuggler Howard Marks
was a student at Balliol College, Oxford
while Frances was at Somerville. In his autobiography Mr. Nice he describes her as "vivacious". The book contains an anecdote of Marks dropping acid for the first time before visiting Frances in her rooms. While they sat listening to The Rolling Stones
, Marks described to her the trip he was experiencing.
, and from there to Weidenfeld and Nicolson
, where she was given her own imprint.
A story that followed her throughout her career, often passed on from employees to new recruits, was of the staff-walkout and demonstration she headed while at Studio Vista in 1975. This was a protest against redundancies proposed by Collier Macmillan, the firm that had come to own Studio Vista. The protest went on for a number of days, and is described as a strike. It achieved concessions from Collier Macmillan. (The story itself is striking for the incongruity between the shy and reserved bluestocking figure of Frances Lincoln, and the tale's casting of her in the role of "strike leader".)
In 1977 Frances went out on her own as an independent publisher/packager, publishing both under her own name and in co-editions. The firm she founded continues as Frances Lincoln Publishers
, based in London. The firm is known for the list of illustrated gardening books it publishes, and for the illustrated children's books that it began publishing from 1983, many of which have won awards and prizes. In Frances's time, her firm was notable for employing an almost exclusively female staff.
Frances Lincoln died from pneumonia
at age 55 in 2001.
in the UK). The couple had a son and two daughters.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
independent publisher of illustrated books. She won a Woman of the Year award in 1995.
Education
She went to school at St George's School, Harpenden where she became Head Girl.Her university education was at Somerville College, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. (Somerville at that time was a women's college, known in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
as "the bluestocking
Bluestocking
A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman. Until the late 18th century, the term had referred to learned people of both sexes. However it subsequently was applied primarily to intellectual women, and the French equivalent bas bleu had a similar connotation. The term later developed...
college".) There she read Greats (the Oxford term for traditional courses in the humanities, with emphasis on the ancient classics of Greece and Rome, including philosophy).
The drug smuggler Howard Marks
Howard Marks
Dennis Howard Marks is a Welsh author and former drug smuggler who achieved notoriety as an international cannabis smuggler through high-profile court cases, supposed connections with groups such as the CIA, the IRA, MI6, and the Mafia, and his eventual conviction at the hands of the American Drug...
was a student at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
while Frances was at Somerville. In his autobiography Mr. Nice he describes her as "vivacious". The book contains an anecdote of Marks dropping acid for the first time before visiting Frances in her rooms. While they sat listening to The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Marks described to her the trip he was experiencing.
Career
In 1970 she started work as an Assistant Editor at the London publishing firm of Studio Vista. She went on to become its Managing Director. From Studio Vista she moved to a job with the publisher Marshall CavendishMarshall Cavendish
Marshall Cavendish is a subsidiary company of Times Publishing Group, the printing and publishing subsidiary of Singapore-based conglomerate Fraser and Neave and at present is a publisher of books, directories and magazines. Marshall Cavendish was established in the United Kingdom in 1968 by Norman...
, and from there to Weidenfeld and Nicolson
Orion Publishing Group
Orion Publishing Group Ltd. is a UK-based book publisher. It is owned by Hachette Livre. In 1998 Orion bought Cassell.-History:Full history of the group can be found on Orion Publishing Group is owned by -Imprints:...
, where she was given her own imprint.
A story that followed her throughout her career, often passed on from employees to new recruits, was of the staff-walkout and demonstration she headed while at Studio Vista in 1975. This was a protest against redundancies proposed by Collier Macmillan, the firm that had come to own Studio Vista. The protest went on for a number of days, and is described as a strike. It achieved concessions from Collier Macmillan. (The story itself is striking for the incongruity between the shy and reserved bluestocking figure of Frances Lincoln, and the tale's casting of her in the role of "strike leader".)
In 1977 Frances went out on her own as an independent publisher/packager, publishing both under her own name and in co-editions. The firm she founded continues as Frances Lincoln Publishers
Frances Lincoln Publishers
Frances Lincoln Publishers is a British book publishing company based in London, founded by Frances Lincoln.The company was founded in 1977. It produces illustrated books, especially on art, architecture, design, gardening, landscape, and walking. In 1983, Francis Lincoln also started to publish...
, based in London. The firm is known for the list of illustrated gardening books it publishes, and for the illustrated children's books that it began publishing from 1983, many of which have won awards and prizes. In Frances's time, her firm was notable for employing an almost exclusively female staff.
Frances Lincoln died from pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at age 55 in 2001.
Family
Frances married John Nicoll, the author of the first book she had commissioned. (He later headed Yale University PressYale University Press
Yale University Press is a book publisher founded in 1908 by George Parmly Day. It became an official department of Yale University in 1961, but remains financially and operationally autonomous....
in the UK). The couple had a son and two daughters.