Mary Wesley

Bestselling British novelist who began publishing at age 71

Mary Wesley (1912–2002) redefined late-life success in literature. After failed marriages and financial struggles, her debut novel Jumping the Queue (1983) sparked a prolific career producing 10 novels selling over 3 million copies.

Her works like 《The Camomile Lawn》 blended:

• Wartime coming-of-age stories
• Scandalous sexual politics
• Dark humor

Wesley wrote in longhand at her Cornwall cottage, drawing from secret MI5 work and aristocratic decline. Despite BBC adaptations, she rejected literary circles, stating: 'I write to exorcise ghosts.'

Her post-70 productivity inspired the 'Wesley Effect' discussion about late-blooming artists. The Mary Wesley Rose cultivar now blooms at Chelsea Flower Show annually.