Siobhan Dowd

Siobhan Dowd was an acclaimed English author, best known for her works in children's and young adult novels. She was born in London to Irish parents, spending much of her youth in Aglish, County Waterford and Wicklow Town. Dowd attended a Catholic grammar school in south London before earning her B.A. Honours degree in Classics from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. She furthered her education at Greenwich University, obtaining a Master of Arts with distinction in Gender and Ethnic Studies.

Dowd's career as an activist and writer began in 1984 when she joined International PEN, a writer's organization. She worked as a researcher and later became the program director of the Freedom-to-Write Committee in New York City. Dowd's work in International PEN included founding and leading the Rushdie Defense Committee (USA) and traveling to Guatemala and Indonesia to investigate the condition of human rights for writers. Her global anti-censorship work earned her recognition as one of the "top 100 Irish-Americans" by Irish-America Magazine and Aer Lingus.

Upon her return to the UK, Dowd co-founded English PEN's program for readers and writers, working with Rachel Billington. She also served as Deputy Commissioner for Children's Rights in Oxfordshire, ensuring that statutory services affecting children's lives conform with UN protocols. Dowd was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2004, but she continued to write and published several successful novels. She established the Siobhan Dowd Trust to help disadvantaged children with their reading skills. Dowd passed away in August 2007, leaving behind a legacy as a respected author and activist.