Rachel Billington

Who is Rachel Billington?

Lady Rachel Mary Billington OBE is a British author, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Longford, who were both eminent writers, as was her aunt Christine Longford. She is the sister of Lady Antonia Fraser DBE and Thomas Pakenham, who are also writers. Her husband is the film, theatre and television director Kevin Billington.

She has published 19 adult novels and 7 children's books since her first novel, All Things Nice, came out in 1969. Her novel A Woman's Age was a bestseller. Other works include Bodily Harm and Loving Attitudes, as well as television plays, screenplays and journalism.

She was formerly President of English PEN, the writers' organisation, and contributes to Inside Time the 'not for profit' national newspaper for prisoners.

Billington was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2012 New Year Honours for her services to literature.