Mary Hooper, the acclaimed author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, has died at the age of 81. Her career, which spanned decades, saw her become a significant voice in a genre that was not officially recognised when she began, earning her numerous accolades and a dedicated readership.
Born an only child in Barnes, south-west London, Hooper left school at 15 without qualifications. Her initial foray into writing was serendipitous; as a young mother in the 1970s, she read a short story and felt she 'could do better'. She subsequently wrote and submitted a piece to Jackie magazine, which, to her surprise, was purchased for £14. This initial success paved the way for a prolific career, initially in contemporary fiction for teenage girls, with her first published title, 'Jodie', appearing in 1978. She later transitioned to historical fiction, becoming a prominent author for Bloomsbury.
Hooper's historical novels were often inspired by intriguing real-life events or figures. For instance, her 2008 novel 'Newes from the Dead' was based on the 17th-century case of Anne Green, a woman who reportedly revived on an autopsy table after being hanged. This book went on to win the teenage book of the year at the North East Book awards and was named Bank Street best children’s book of the year in 2009. Other notable works include 'Fallen Grace' (2010), nominated for the Carnegie medal in 2011, and 'Poppy' (2014), which secured the Young Quills Historical Association award.
Beyond her literary achievements, Hooper's life was rich with experiences. A mod in the 1960s, she frequented iconic venues like the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, where the Rolling Stones played early gigs. She also volunteered for the Missing Persons Helpline (now Missing People), driven by empathy for those searching for loved ones. Hooper pursued an English degree at Reading University as a mature student in 1990. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 2010s, which eventually led her to stop writing, though her family noted her extraordinary endurance of the illness.
Mary Hooper is survived by her husband Richard Tippett, her daughters Gemma and another, and her four grandchildren: Mack, Nate, Molly, and Iris. Her legacy is one of inspiring countless young readers through her captivating storytelling and demonstrating that a passion for writing can flourish from unexpected beginnings.