Sue Townsend

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Writing in the later twentieth century, ST turned a satirical eye on social structures like the British class system, but her writing always had the aim of making people laugh. She began as a dramatist and went on to novels, journalism, and political writing, while never more than a step away from comedy.
  • BirthName: Susan Lilian Johnstone
    “Sue Townsend—Obituary”. The Telegraph, 11 Apr. 2014.
    Who Was Who. A. and C. Black, 1897–2025, Many volumes.
    Some sources spell her second name in the US mannere as Lillian.

  • Self-constructed: Sue Townsend

Milestones

2 April 1946

ST was born in Leicester, the eldest child in her family.
“Sue Townsend—Obituary”. The Telegraph, 11 Apr. 2014.

7 October 1982

ST had an unexpected success with The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾, the first volume of musings by her recent radio-play protagonist. She went on to write seven more Adrian Mole books.
Blackwell’s Online Bookshop. http://Bookshop.Blackwell.co.uk.

13 September 2012

ST published her final book, the novel The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year.
Blackwell’s Online Bookshop. http://Bookshop.Blackwell.co.uk.
“Sue Townsend—Obituary”. The Telegraph, 11 Apr. 2014.

10 April 2014

ST died. She had suffered from diabetes for some years, and had had a stroke in 2013.
“Sue Townsend—Obituary”. The Telegraph, 11 Apr. 2014.

Biography

Birth and Family

2 April 1946

ST was born in Leicester, the eldest child in her family.
“Sue Townsend—Obituary”. The Telegraph, 11 Apr. 2014.