The Bodleian Libraries join with the rest of the literary world in sharing deep sadness at the news of Joanna Trollope’s death on Friday 12 December 2025.
Her writing dealt with the human condition in a profound and moving way, one that touched the hearts of millions of readers across the world. Joanna Trollope published more than 30 novels during her illustrious career, including her early works, which were written under the pseudonym of Caroline Harvey. Her most well-known novels include The Rector’s Wife, A Village Affair and Other People’s Children. The breadth of her work spans issues ranging from adultery to the changing expectations of women and the experiences of the ‘sandwich generation’; who care for both their children and ageing parents/elders.
When asked of her legacy, Trollope didn’t want to be remembered for her bestselling success or the numerous TV and film adaptations of her work; instead, she hoped that her novels “were an enormous comfort” to those going through hard times or experiencing “jealousy or despair, or whatever it was.” She summed up her aspiration as wanting ‘my books to say: “It’s OK, we all feel like that.’”
In 2014 Joanna donated her entire archive, including handwritten manuscripts of her novels, personal letters, journals and research notes, to the Bodleian Libraries. Speaking at the time, she said:
My association with Oxford goes back a long way and continues to this day. Not only was I an Oxford scholar, but so was my father. Moreover, my own daughters were at Oxford colleges, and my young grandchildren are educated in the city, too. So, it could not be more satisfactory.
Trollope's work sits alongside the original manuscripts and early editions of works by her ancestor, the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope, which are also held by the Bodleian Libraries.
Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian and Helen Hamlyn Director of University Libraries, said:
Joanna was a wonderful writer, one whose reputation will continue long into the future. She was also a great friend to the Bodleian, speaking on many occasions about the power of libraries and the importance of preserving and sharing the written word.
