Born in 1923 and raised in the austere yet close embrace of a large Edwardian family, privately educated at home, unsure of herself, of her worth and of her intelligence, Elizabeth Jane Howard's story reflects that of a generation of English women. The War and short-lived careers as an actress, model, and publishing editor gave her a degree of independence and experience that had been closed to her forebears, and brought her into contact with the artistic community that was to encompass her professional and private life. Her first novel was published in 1950 and her most recent in 1999." "Her circle of friends has included some of the most interesting writers and thinkers of the day - Laurie Lee, Arthur Koestler, Olivia Manning, Cyril Connolly, Ken Tynan and Cecil Day-Lewis, among many others. She has been married three times - firstly to Peter Scott, the naturalist and son of Captain Scott, and most famously and tempestously to Kingsley Amis.