Gillian Bradshaw facts for kids

Gillian Marucha Bradshaw (born May 14, 1956) is an American author. She writes many different kinds of books. These include stories based on history, fantasy tales, books for children, and science fiction. She also writes novels that mix science with modern life. Gillian Bradshaw lives in Britain.

Her historical novels often take place in ancient times. These settings include Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and Imperial Rome. She has also written books about the English Civil War.

About Gillian Bradshaw

Gillian Bradshaw was born in Falls Church, Virginia. She spent some of her childhood in Santiago, Chile. She went to the University of Michigan for college. There, she won awards for her studies in Classical Greek. She also won a prize for her first novel, Hawk of May.

After college, she studied at Newnham College, Cambridge in England. She focused on Classical philology, which is the study of ancient languages and literature. Her first book, Hawk of May, was published while she was still in school.

Gillian Bradshaw decided to stay in Cambridge to write more books. She soon found out she could make a living as a novelist. She has been writing ever since! She also met her husband, Robin Ball, who is a professor of physics. They have four children.

Gillian Bradshaw loves visiting old ruins from ancient times. She says her family has seen many Roman buildings and stadiums. Even though they sometimes complain, they usually enjoy exploring history with her.

Her husband, a physicist, helped her understand some science for her book The Sand-Reckoner. This book is about the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes. Bradshaw's stories often show her interest in how people react to new scientific discoveries.

Gillian Bradshaw's Books

Books from 1980 to 1990

Gillian Bradshaw's first books were a fantasy series called Down the Long Wind. These three books were for young adults. They came out between 1980 and 1982. The series includes Hawk of May, Kingdom of Summer, and In Winter's Shadow.

These stories are set in Britain after the Roman Empire left. The main character is Gwalchmai, a knight from the King Arthur legends. He has to choose between his mother, Morgawse, and his uncle, King Arthur.

After this series, Bradshaw started writing historical novels for adults.

• The Beacon at Alexandria (1986) is about a young woman from Ephesus. She works as a doctor in 4th century Alexandria, Egypt.
• The Bearkeeper's Daughter tells the story of Theodora. She became the empress of the Byzantine Empire. Theodora started from a very humble background. Her father was a bearkeeper for the circus.
• Imperial Purple (1988) is about Demetrias, a skilled weaver who was born into slavery. She uncovers a plot to remove Theodosius II and his sister Pulcheria from power.
• In 1990, Bradshaw wrote Horses of Heaven. This book is about a marriage between a king and a princess. This marriage brings many changes to their kingdoms around 140 BC.

Books from 1991 to 2000

Gillian Bradshaw then wrote three books for children.

• The Dragon and the Thief (1991) and The Land of Gold (1992) are linked stories set in Ancient Egypt.
• The Land of Gold features a princess from Nubia. She tries to get her throne back after her parents are killed. A dragon named Hathor helps her.
• Beyond the North Wind (1993) is about a young magician. He is asked by the god Apollo to protect griffins from a mean queen. These children's books started as stories she told her own kids.

Bradshaw then returned to writing serious historical fiction for adults.

• Island of Ghosts (1998) tells the story of Ariantes. He is one of 8,000 Sarmatians serving in the Roman army under Marcus Aurelius.
• In 2000, she wrote her first science fiction novel, The Wrong Reflection. It's about a man who has lost his memory. He discovers that his identity is not real.
• This was followed by the historical novel The Sand-Reckoner. It tells the story of Archimedes of Syracuse, Italy. It covers his studies and his role in the Second Punic War.

Books from 2001 to Today

• In 2001, Bradshaw published her second science fiction novel, Dangerous Notes. It's about Valeria Thornham, a young musician. After an accident as a child, she had special cells put into her brain. She is seen as a risk and is held at a research center. There, she faces surgery that could take away her amazing musical talent.
• Bradshaw's 2001 historical novel The Wolf Hunt is based on an old French tale. It features Marie Penthive, who is kidnapped and taken to Brittany. She gets caught up in the court's events and plots.
• Her next historical novel, Cleopatra's Heir (2002), tells the story of Caesarion. He was the son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII of Egypt. He escapes being killed by his adoptive brother, Caesar Augustus. Caesarion is then forced to live a difficult life in the Roman Empire.
• In 2002, Bradshaw also wrote a short story called The Justice of Isis. It is set in Ancient Egypt in Alexandria around 58 BCE.
• This was followed by another historical novel, Render Unto Caesar (2003). It features Hermogenes, a Roman citizen of Greek background. He faces unfair treatment in Rome when trying to collect a debt. His bodyguard, Cantabra, is a strong former fighter.
• In 2003, Bradshaw also wrote a short story called The Malice of the Anicii. It is set in the last years of Imperial Rome.
• Bradshaw returned to science fiction with The Somers Treatment (2003). This novel is about a brain surgeon, David Somers. He develops a special treatment for language difficulties. However, his research is secretly funded by a spy agency.
• Her 2004 historical novel The Alchemy of Fire takes place in Constantinople. Anna tries to raise her daughter, Theodosia, alone. She must protect the secret of the girl's noble birth. Meanwhile, an alchemist tries to create Greek fire.
• The Elixir of Youth (2006) looks at the relationship between a philosopher and her scientist father. His special serum to fix skin aging has gone missing. This book, like Dangerous Notes, explores the use of special cells in research.
• Bloodwood (2007) is set in modern Britain. It focuses on Antonia Lanchester, who is very ill. She gives secret files about illegal logging and corruption to an environmental group.
• Her next novel, Dark North (2007), returns to Roman Britain. Set in 208 CE, it shows the difficult rule of Emperor Septimius Severus. It also tells about his attempt to conquer Scotland. The story is seen through the eyes of an African cavalry scout and members of the Empress's household.
• The Sun's Bride (2008) is set in Ancient Greece, in Rhodes in 246 BCE. Shipping, pirates, and politics in the Mediterranean Sea are the background. It tells how the end of one king's rule and the start of a war change two people's lives.
• London in Chains (2009) is her first historical novel about the English Civil War. It is about a young woman, Lucy Wentor. She tries to start a publishing business in London in 1647. This was a time of political unrest. Like many of Bradshaw's books, it shows a woman's fight for independence.
• A Corruptible Crown (2011) continues Lucy's story in publishing. She prints news-books and tries to avoid government censors.