Nina Bawden (1925-2012) was a novelist for both children and adults and, following the death of her husband Austen in a train crash which nearly killed her in 2002, a campaigner for railway safety.

I enjoyed this article about her, particularly the references to Kaye Webb and the discussion of the aftermath of the crash. Dear Austen sounds a fascinating book. On a much lighter note I love the idea of her trying to persuade a young Margaret Roberts (later Thatcher) to join the Labour Party!