# Mary Renault

> English novelist (1905–1983)

**Wikidata**: [Q235354](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235354)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Renault)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-renault

## Summary
Mary Renault was an English novelist (1905–1983) known for her historical and mythological works, including *The King Must Die* and *The Bull from the Sea*, which blend classical mythology with modern storytelling. She was a prominent figure in 20th-century literature, particularly in historical fiction and biographical prose.

## Biography
- Born: September 4, 1905, in London, England
- Nationality: British
- Education: Studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford, and the Sorbonne in Paris
- Known for: Writing historical and mythological novels, blending classical themes with contemporary narratives
- Employer(s): St Hugh's College (affiliated with)
- Field(s): Literature, Historical Fiction, Mythological Fiction

## Contributions
Mary Renault published several notable works, including:
- *The King Must Die* (1958), a retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
- *The Bull from the Sea* (1961), a historical novel set in ancient Greece.
- *The Last of the Wine* (1966), a novel about the decline of the Roman Empire.
- *The Centaur* (1972), a historical novel about the life of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.
- *The Bull from the Sea* (1961), a historical novel set in ancient Greece.
- *The Last of the Wine* (1966), a novel about the decline of the Roman Empire.
- *The Centaur* (1972), a historical novel about the life of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

## FAQs
**What is Mary Renault known for?**
Mary Renault is known for her historical and mythological novels, such as *The King Must Die* and *The Bull from the Sea*, which blend classical mythology with modern storytelling.

**Where did Mary Renault study?**
Mary Renault studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford, and the Sorbonne in Paris.

**What awards did Mary Renault receive?**
Mary Renault won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for *The King Must Die* in 1958.

**What are some of Mary Renault's notable works?**
Some of Mary Renault's notable works include *The King Must Die*, *The Bull from the Sea*, *The Last of the Wine*, and *The Centaur*.

**What is the theme of Mary Renault's novels?**
Mary Renault's novels often explore themes of power, identity, and the clash between tradition and modernity, set against the backdrop of ancient history.

## Why They Matter
Mary Renault's work significantly influenced historical and mythological fiction, blending classical themes with contemporary narratives. Her novels, such as *The King Must Die* and *The Bull from the Sea*, have been praised for their rich storytelling and deep exploration of historical and mythological subjects. Renault's contributions have left a lasting impact on literature, inspiring future writers to explore the intersection of myth and history.

## Notable For
- Won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for *The King Must Die* (1958)
- Authored *The Bull from the Sea* (1961), a historical novel set in ancient Greece
- Published *The Last of the Wine* (1966), a novel about the decline of the Roman Empire
- Wrote *The Centaur* (1972), a historical novel about the life of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius
- Affiliated with St Hugh's College, Oxford

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mary Renault was born on September 4, 1905, in London, England. She studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford, and later at the Sorbonne in Paris, where she developed an interest in historical and mythological themes.

### Career and Literary Contributions
Mary Renault's career as a novelist began in the mid-20th century, with her first major work, *The King Must Die* (1958), which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. This novel, a retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, marked her as a significant figure in historical fiction. Her subsequent works, including *The Bull from the Sea* (1961) and *The Last of the Wine* (1966), further established her reputation for blending classical mythology with contemporary narratives. *The Centaur* (1972) provided a detailed exploration of the life of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, showcasing her ability to bring historical figures to life.

### Influence and Legacy
Mary Renault's contributions to literature have had a lasting impact, influencing generations of writers who explore the intersection of myth and history. Her novels have been widely studied and adapted, further cementing her place in literary history. Her work continues to be celebrated for its rich storytelling and deep exploration of historical and mythological subjects.

### Affiliations and Recognition
Mary Renault was affiliated with St Hugh's College, Oxford, and her works have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Her literary achievements have earned her a prominent place in the annals of historical and mythological fiction.

## References

1. The Feminist Companion to Literature in English
2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
3. BnF authorities
4. LIBRIS. 2018
5. Project MUSE
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. OPAC SBN
11. SNAC
12. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
13. FemBio database
14. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
15. A historical dictionary of British women
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Source](https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/fire-from-heaven)
18. CONOR.SI
19. Autoritats UB
20. Goodreads
21. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line