For a town famous for shoring up some of the UK’s greatest athletes and entertainers, it’s no surprise Northampton has also been home to some of our most celebrated writers.
Masterpieces written by the town’s pensmiths go as far back as religious writings of the 16th Century.
Meanwhile, Northampton’s modern authors have composed best-selling novels, superhero comics which have taken Hollywood by storm and a string of hit Mills & Boon romances.
Without further ado, here’s our countdown of ten great authors from Northampton.
5. Andy Hamilton
Andy Hamilton (born 1974) is a survival expert known for leading foraging expeditions around Britain. He has written four books, The Selfsufficientish Bible Booze for Free, Brewing Britain (reprinted as The Perfect Pint) and Fermenting Everything. Born in Northampton, he now lives in Bristol. Photo: Andy Hamilton
6. Anne Fine
Children's author Anne Fine (born 1947) attended Northampton High School for Girls and has written more than 70 books. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, among her most notable books are Mrs Doubtfire (adapted in a 1993 film starring Robin Williams), Goggle Eyes and Flour Babies. Photo: Anne Fine
7. Rita Bradshaw
Rita Bradshaw was born in Northampton in 1949. A former secretary, she began writing at the age of 40 and published her first Mills & Boon novel in 1992 using the pseudonym Helen Brooks. Since 1998, she has published many historical romances under her real name. Photo: Rita Bradshaw
8. Daniel Conner Lathbury
Daniel Conner Lathbury (1831-1922) was born in Wootton, near Northampton, and educated at Oxford University (pictured) before taking up journalism posts at The Economist and The Guardian. In 1900 he started his own short-lived newspaper, the Pilot, and spent many years compiling his best-known book - Gladstone's Correspondence on Church and Religion Photo: Oxford University