Rosie Nolan talks to Philippa Gregory, the best-selling author of over twenty historical novels. Her novel Wideacre was published as she completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh.

Rosie Nolan talks to Philippa Gregory, the best-selling author of over twenty historical novels. Her novel Wideacre was published as she completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh.

Your first degree was in History but you chose to come to Edinburgh as a post-graduate. How was post-graduate life different to undergraduate? I’ve always enjoyed education the most when you can get to a level where there is much greater freedom in thinking, and you are required to think and conclude and research much more alone than what people ask of you, or tell you. For this reason, I was a far better PhD student than an undergraduate, because there is so much more freedom of thought and interpretative power required. And I remember there being a bigger difference still, when I completed the transition from high school to undergraduate.

How did studying in Edinburgh compare to Sussex?

The difference between Sussex and Edinburgh…Sussex was far more liberal and laid back in its approach to studying and teaching and learning. It was quite different in Edinburgh, the whole system of education was far stricter. But really, it was very enjoyable.

Was there much – if any – provision for post-graduate students during freshers’ week when you arrived at Edinburgh?

It was a very long time ago, but I remember there being a seminar. It was fairly informal, set up mostly as an opportunity for the new students to meet each other, rather than an organised event. Actually, it was a very fortunate seminar for me, as I had arrived in Edinburgh alone with nowhere to live, and had been sleeping on a friend’s floor. One of the university administrators told me she might know someone with whom I could stay, and through her I got a roof over my head! I also met a friend with whom I joined the skiing society…I remember we used to go to Glenshie regularly at the weekends, it was brilliant fun. I think the only other society I joined was a Marxist reading group, which is probably a very specialist interest!

What are your defining memories of Edinburgh from the time you studied here?

Well, the city of course is just beautiful. Edinburgh is without doubt my favourite city in the world to live in. The countryside and scenery surrounding it – which features greatly in most of my work - the presence of Arthur’s Seat in the middle of all the modernity, is breathtaking. And it’s wonderful to have the beautiful Princes St Gardens directly in the heart of such a popular, bustling capital.

It’s so richly steeped in history as well. There is so much in this one place to provide historical interest…Holyrood, the Castle, everything.

As a student here, I distinctly remember how much I loved the quirkiness of Edinburgh. I adored window shopping, but never had any money, so nothing very much happened there! But I found the things like kilt shops, and false Scots pedigree shops extremely funny. It was just after the Nationalists lost the referendum for independent government the first time, and it was still very much a political hot potato. It was fascinating for someone like me who had been brought up in England and moved to Scotland as a young adult, to see the issue of Great Britain from another perspective.

Any particular memories of the university itself?

In terms of University life…I had a very funny first year. I didn’t get a student grant of any kind, so I was forced to work. In the end I got a job as a radio presenter on Good Morning Scotland, so I would be awake at four, down to the Radio Scotland building for five, to complete a four hour shift, then off for a day of lectures. I must have been the most sober student in my year, because when everyone else was arranging to go to the pub, I’d a full day’s work and could only concentrate on getting to bed!

But it was amazing fun…the contrast of the two types of work (the vibrancy and speed of radio presenting and the careful, considered approach of studying) were both wonderful experiences.

Of the lecturers themselves, and the education…it was just of the highest possible quality. These people, when you spoke to them even in casual conversation, you knew you were learning something beneficial and important. The library was a superb resource too.

What advice would you offer to students aspiring to a career in literature or the arts?

Well, what happened to me at Edinburgh was really unplanned. During the course of my university life, I must have read so much…indeed, during my PhD, I must have devoured up to 200 historical novels. And when you read such a tremendous amount, you learn as if by accident, how novels are put together. You absorb how to write by reading such a volume of good quality literature.

What advice would you offer students in general?

Oh, I sound like a grandmother! Simply, it’s a fantastic opportunity. There is no life experience which can be compared to it, and it is something you will never have again. You’re surrounded by people with similar opportunities…it’s the time in your life when you’ll probably have fewest demands. Let yourself go – really let yourself go – and enjoy it, do everything you can to make the most of your time as a student.