Brigid Brophy

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In the novel BB 's topics are social and sexual comedy. In non-fiction (essays, criticism, polemic) she pursued her interests in causes (often for the benefit of animals or writers), in opera and other arts, in deviant or nonconformist behaviour, and in individuals with a particular appeal to her. Late in her career, which spanned the second half of the twentieth century, came moving and clear-sighted writing on her multiple sclerosis. BB disliked and opposed the study of women's writing in isolation from that of men.
  • BirthName: Brigid Antonia Susan Brophy
    Having always known her own name as Brigid Antonia Susan, she discovered when getting married that she was registered in the first two names only, and that Susan was added at baptism.
    Brophy, Brigid. “Afterword”. The King of a Rainy Country, Virago, 1990.
    273-4

  • Married: Levey
  • Titled: Lady
    BB became Lady Levey when her husband was knighted.
    Who’s Who. Adam and Charles Black, 1849–2025, Annual Volumes.
Black and white photograph of Brigid Brophy wearing a zebra print sleeveless blouse over a black turtle neck. In the background, there are several bookcases visible. She is facing the camera.

Milestones

12 June 1929

BB was born at 79 Uxbridge Road in Ealing, West London.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.

1986

BB contributed to the Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series her courageous, angry, personal yet public account of her multiple sclerosis.
Contemporary Authors, Autobiography Series. Gale Research, 1984–2025, Numerous volumes.
4

By 24 March 1989

BB published her third collection of essays; though it is not all literary criticism, she called it Reads.
Brown, Susan Windisch, editor. Contemporary Novelists. 6th ed., St James Press, 1996.
156

7 August 1995

BB died of pneumonia and the effects of multiple sclerosis.
Moore, Steven. “Brigid Brophy: An Introduction and Checklist”. Review of Contemporary Fiction, Vol.
15
, No. 3, 1 Sept.–30 Nov. 1995, pp. 7-11.
10
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.

Biography

Birth and Influences

12 June 1929

BB was born at 79 Uxbridge Road in Ealing, West London.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.

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