Mary Renault was born Eileen Mary Challans, in London. She was best known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece

In addition to fictional portrayals of Theseus, Socrates and Plato she wrote a non-fiction biography of Alexander the Great, The Nature of Alexander (1975). Fire from Heaven, her novel about Alexander the Great, was longlisted for the Lost Man Booker 2010.

Mary Renault

All nominated books

Fire From Heaven