Ursula R. Holden (8 August 1921 – 2 May 2020) was an English novelist, author of thirteen novels often inspired by her time spent in Ireland. Her first novel, ''Endless Race'', was published when she was 54.
Early years
Ursula Holden was born in August 1921, in Bridport, Dorset, the fourth daughter of five children of Una and Andrew Holden. Her father worked abroad, mostly in Egypt and Holden was educated at home by a governess before going to high school, aged 11, and then to board at St Michael's School,
Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis (), sometimes simply known as Bognor (), is a town and seaside resort in West Sussex on the south coast of England, south-west of London, west of Brighton, south-east of Chichester and east of Portsmouth. Other nearby towns i ...
, at the age of 15.
After World War II, Holden went to Ireland where she became a model in Dublin's Art School. She was married to William Sydney Dixon for twenty three years (divorced 1970) and had 3 daughters. She lived in London all her adult life.
Writing career
It was at a creative writing class at Chiswick Polytechnic in 1968 that she began to realize her talent for writing. After being signed by Andrew Hewson of the John Johnson Literary Agency, her first three novels were published by London Magazine Editions. Admiring her work, the editor of
London Magazine
''The London Magazine'' is the title of six different publications that have appeared in succession since 1732. All six have focused on the arts, literature and miscellaneous topics.
1732–1785
''The London Magazine, or, Gentleman's Monthly I ...
, Alan Ross, fostered Holden's career until his death in 2001.
Subsequent novels were published by Methuen. In 2013 Virago reprinted Tin Toys Trilogy: Tin Toys (1986) Unicorn Sisters (1988) A Bubble Garden (1989).
During the 1980s she wrote introductions to several novels by
Barbara Comyns
Barbara Irene Veronica Comyns Carr (born Barbara Irene Veronica Bayley; 27 December 1907Celia Brayfield (2004)Carr, Barbara Irene Veronica Comyns (1907–1992) ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. – 14 ...
published by
Virago
A virago is a woman who demonstrates abundant masculine virtues. The word comes from the Latin word ''virāgō'' ( genitive virāginis) meaning vigorous' from ''vir'' meaning "man" or "man-like" (cf. virile and virtue) to which the suffix ''-ā ...
.
In her early career, Holden's writing room was a booth in the typing room of the
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is estimated to contain between 170 and 200 million items from many countries. As a legal deposit library, the British ...
. Over the years she benefitted from writers' retreats, and spent some time at the Millay,
Yaddo
Yaddo is an artists' community located on a estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment.". On March ...
and McDowell Colonies for Artists. The authors who have most influenced her include
Jean Rhys
Jean Rhys, ( ; born Ella Gwendolyn Rees Williams; 24 August 1890 – 14 May 1979) was a British novelist who was born and grew up in the Caribbean island of Dominica. From the age of 16, she mainly resided in England, where she was sent for he ...
Ernest Dowson
Ernest Christopher Dowson (2 August 186723 February 1900) was an English poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement.
Biography
Ernest Dowson was born in Lee, then in Kent, in 1867. His great-uncle ...
and Samuel Beckett.
She has never sought fame. 'I couldn't give up the writing time necessary to enter public life. Samuel Beckett stayed in his miserable little flat and hid away, even after he'd been awarded the Nobel prize. I utterly endorse that, but it takes guts.' A photo portrait of her by
Fay Godwin
Fay Godwin (17 February 1931 – 27 May 2005) was a British photographer known for her black-and-white landscapes of the British countryside and coast.
Career
Godwin was introduced to the London literary scene.National Portrait Gallery, London.
Throughout the 1990s her writing space was her room at a nursing home in London and she wrote daily: 'I write to live and live to write’. Intermittently she wrote for
The Oldie
''The Oldie'' is a British monthly magazine written for older people "as a light-hearted alternative to a press obsessed with youth and celebrity", according to its website. The magazine was launched in 1992 by Richard Ingrams, who was its edit ...
magazine.
Throughout her career she was supported by the Royal Literary Fund.
Holden's dedication to writing was recognised by the Royal Society of Literature with the award of a fellowship in 2010.
She died in May 2020 at the age of 98.
Works
* ''Endless Race'', 1975
* ''Turnstiles'', 1977
* ''String Horses'', 1979
* ''Fallen Angels'', 1979
* ''The Cloud Catchers'', 1979
* ''Penny Links'', 1981
* ''Sing About It'', 1982
* ''Wider Pools'', 1983
* ''Eric's Choice'', 1984
* ''Tin Toys'', 1987
* ''Unicorn Sisters'', 1988
* ''A Bubble Garden'', 1989
* ''Help Me Please'', 1991
Holden wrote the introductions to several novels by
Barbara Comyns
Barbara Irene Veronica Comyns Carr (born Barbara Irene Veronica Bayley; 27 December 1907Celia Brayfield (2004)Carr, Barbara Irene Veronica Comyns (1907–1992) ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. – 14 ...