Mary Chamberlain

Mary Chamberlain (born 3 September 1947) is a British novelist and historian. She has been largely collected by libraries worldwide. Early life Chamberlain was born 3 September 1947 in South London, and holds degrees from the University of Edinburgh, The London School of Economics and Political Science, and Royal Holloway, University of London. Family life She is married to the political scientist Stein Ringen. Chamberlain was previously married to Carey Harrison. Historical career Chamberlain is Emeritus Professor of History, at Oxford Brookes University. Her book Fenwomen. Portrait of Women in an English Village was the first book published by Virago Press in 1975, and pioneered the use of oral history in the study of women’s history. It was also the inspiration for the Joint Stock production of Caryl Churchill’s award-winning play Fen (1983). Fenwomen was followed by two further books on women’s history: Old Wives’ Tales: Their History, Remedies and Spells and Growing Up In Lambeth.