Clarissa Dickson Wright


1947 - 2014

Eccentric broadcaster and authoress. Born into a Scottish family in London, Dickson Wright is the daughter of the Queen Mother's Surgeon. She studied law at University College London, graduating in just three years and became the youngest woman ever to be called to the Bar at the age of 21. She practised successfully for a time as a barrister but lost her career due to a problem with alcohol. Dickson Wright went on to become a professional caterer and came to public prominence in 1996 through presenting the BBC series Two Fat Ladies with Jennifer Paterson (1928 - 1999). Now living in Musselburgh, she owns a cookery bookshop off Edinburgh's Grassmarket, runs a catering business and has catered for the Duke of Hamilton at Lennoxlove House.

Dickson Wright is a passionate supporter of the Countryside Alliance and of rural life and pursuits, illustrated by her television series Clarissa and the Countryman (2001), with Sir John Scott, a farmer and landowner in the Scottish Borders. She writes regularly for Country Life, newspapers such as Scotland on Sunday and has been the author of books such as The Haggis: A Short History (1996), Hieland Foodie: A Scottish Culinary Voyage (1999), Two Fat Ladies: Full Throttle (2000) and A Greener Life: The Modern Country Compendium (2005).

Dickson Wright was elected the first female Rector of the University of Aberdeen, serving for an unprecedented two terms (1998 - 2004). She died in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.


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