Picture a Scottish historian who brought the unsung stories of women to life with wit and warmth—meet Tessa Dunlop! A celebrated author, broadcaster, and historian, Dunlop has spent her career shining a spotlight on the remarkable women who shaped 20th-century Britain. From codebreakers to centenarians, her books weave oral histories into captivating narratives that make the past feel vividly alive.
With a knack for storytelling and a passion for uncovering hidden voices, Dunlop has become a beloved figure in historical writing. Her Sunday Times bestsellers, like The Century Girls and The Bletchley Girls, blend meticulous research with heartfelt interviews, ensuring that the women who lived through war and change are never forgotten. Ready to dive into her world?
The Making of Tessa Dunlop
Born in 1974 in Scotland, Tessa Dunlop grew up in the Central Highlands, where her curiosity about the past took root. The daughter of Donald Henry Dunlop, she attended Pitlochry High School and Strathallan School before studying history at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, where she snagged the 1995 Gertrude Easton Prize for History. Her academic journey didn’t stop there—she earned an MA in Imperialism and Culture and a PhD in 2020 from Sheffield Hallam University, focusing on British-Romanian relations. This blend of scholarly rigor and personal drive set the stage for her multifaceted career.
After Oxford, Dunlop dove into broadcasting, working for London radio stations like LBC and BBC London 94.9. Her charisma and historical insight led to presenting roles on BBC’s BAFTA-winning Coast and documentaries for Channel 4 and the History Channel. But it was her love for storytelling that sparked her writing career, starting with a memoir, To Romania with Love, inspired by her experiences in Romania, where she met her husband, Vlad.
Tessa Dunlop’s Unforgettable Stories
Dunlop’s books are a love letter to the women who shaped history, told through intimate oral histories. Her debut, To Romania with Love (2012), is a personal memoir chronicling her transformative experiences in post-communist Romania. It’s a heartfelt tale of cultural connection, setting the tone for her empathetic style.
Her breakthrough came with The Bletchley Girls (2015), which follows 15 women who worked at Bletchley Park, Britain’s secret WWII codebreaking hub. Through vivid interviews, Dunlop captures their sacrifices and triumphs, revealing how young women helped win the war. The Century Girls (2018), a Sunday Times bestseller, celebrates six women born in or before 1918, marking 100 years of women’s suffrage with stories of resilience and change. Her latest, Army Girls (2021), honors the last living WWII female veterans, exploring themes of patriotism and sexism. Dunlop’s style—warm, accessible, and deeply human—makes history feel like a conversation with a wise friend.
She also ventured into royal history with Elizabeth and Philip (2022), a tender exploration of the iconic couple’s love story and monarchy’s evolution. Each book showcases Dunlop’s ability to blend big historical moments with personal, often overlooked, perspectives, making her work both educational and emotionally resonant.
Why Tessa Dunlop Matters
Tessa Dunlop’s impact lies in her mission to amplify women’s voices in history. By focusing on oral histories, she preserves stories that might otherwise fade, ensuring that future generations understand the grit and grace of women who lived through war, societal shifts, and personal triumphs. Her work has inspired readers and historians alike to value the everyday heroes who shaped the modern world.
As a broadcaster, she brings history to life on BBC, Channel 4, and the Daily Mail, making complex topics accessible and engaging. Her resilience—suing after being sacked post-childbirth and balancing motherhood with a PhD—mirrors the strength of the women she writes about, cementing her as a vital voice in contemporary history.
- Born: 1974, Scotland
- Key Works: The Bletchley Girls, The Century Girls, Army Girls, Elizabeth and Philip
- Awards: Royal Television Society Award (2005), Gertrude Easton Prize for History (1995)
Snag The Century Girls or Army Girls and dive into Tessa Dunlop’s vibrant world of history, where women’s stories steal the show!