Barbara Mary Crampton Pym
- Born:
- June 2, 1913, Oswestry, Shropshire, England
- Died:
- January 16, 1980, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Queen's College, London, graduating with a Diploma in English.
- Her father, Frederic Crampton Pym, was a solicitor.
- Early writing influenced by Ronald Firbank and Ivy Compton-Burnett.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the International African Institute after the Second World War.
- Published her first novel, Some Tame Gazelle, in 1950.
- Gained critical acclaim for her novels depicting the lives of unmarried women in post-war England.
- Her novels were rejected by publishers between 1963 and 1977.
- In 1977, she was jointly selected as one of the most underrated writers of the 20th century by a survey in the Times Literary Supplement, leading to a revival of interest in her work.
- Quartet in Autumn (1977) was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Notable Works
- Some Tame Gazelle (1950)
- Excellent Women (1952)
- Jane and Prudence (1953)
- Less Than Angels (1955)
- A Glass of Blessings (1958)
- No Fond Return of Love (1961)
- Quartet in Autumn (1977)
- The Sweet Dove Died (1978)
- An Academic Question (1986, posthumously published)
Legacy and Impact
Barbara Pym is remembered for her witty and insightful portrayals of social life in post-war England, particularly focusing on the experiences of unmarried women. Her novels are celebrated for their gentle humor, sharp observations, and subtle explorations of human relationships. This "barbara pym biography" highlights her literary career and contribution to English Literature.