Jessie Kesson

This biography chronicles the life of Jessie Kesson, a remarkable Scottish writer who transformed her hardships into artistic expression.

In Jessie Kesson, Isobel Murray presents a detailed exploration of the life of an extraordinary Scottish novelist, playwright, and radio producer. The biography delves into Kesson's challenging beginnings, born as an illegitimate child in a workhouse and raised in a slum in Elgin. Her tumultuous childhood included being separated from her neglectful mother and placed in an orphanage, where she thrived despite the lack of opportunities for higher education. This formative period shaped her resilience and determination, traits that would define her later life and work.

Murray's narrative captures Kesson's journey from a cottar wife in North East Scotland to a vibrant life in London, where she balanced her writing ambitions with various jobs, including cleaning a cinema and producing the influential radio program Woman's Hour. The first edition of this biography received critical acclaim, winning the National Library of Scotland/Saltire Research Book of the Year in 2000, highlighting Kesson's remarkable ability to transform her struggles into art.

The second edition of Jessie Kesson not only revisits her inspiring story but also uncovers the truth about her elusive father, providing deeper insights into her complex family dynamics. This updated biography invites readers to appreciate Kesson's legacy as a pioneer of Scottish literature and an influential figure in radio, showcasing her indomitable spirit and creative genius.