Elected: 2020
Ursula Owen has been an influential figure in the worlds of literature and free expression for decades. She was a founder director of Virago, revitalised Index on Censorship as Editor and Chief Executive and was the founder of Free Word, a centre for literature, literacy and free expression. Ursula is a Trustee of English Touring Opera, Carcanet Press, the Ledbury Poetry Festival and Founder Trustee of Free Word. She is the author of Single Journey Only: A memoir (Salt 2019) and editor of Fathers: Reflections by Daughters (Virago 1983).
Fellows are nominated by peers and elected by our Council of writers – our governing Board. Being elected a Fellow of the RSL is a lifetime honour. This role gives them the opportunity to support other writers, readers and the future of literature. The RSL connects writers in the Fellowship to one another, and to a wider readership.
