Eileen Ramsay, author of twenty novels, including The G.I. BrideA Schoolmistress at War and A Pinch of Salt, has died at the age of 82.

Eileen Ramsay was born in 1940 and grew up in Dumfriesshire. After graduation, she relocated to Washington DC, where she taught in private schools for some years, before moving to California with her Scottish husband. There, she raised two sons, finished her master’s degree, fell in love with Mexico, and published her first short stories and a Regency novel.

Her family returned to Scotland where Eileen continued to teach and write and to serve – at different times – on the committees of The Society of Authors in Scotland, The Scottish Association of Writers and The Romantic Novelists Association, where Eileen was the Chair from 2015-2017. In 2004, her novel Someday, Somewhere was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year award.

Ramsay’s agent Teresa Chris said:

‘Eileen Ramsay was one of the most genuinely lovely and fascinating women I have known and worked with. A warm-hearted storyteller, her books gave great pleasure and provided escapism to an enormous number of people. I miss her so much.’ 

Sarah Bauer, editorial director at Bonnier Books UK reflected:

‘I feel so lucky to have worked with Eileen. She was a brilliant writer and a wonderful woman. I am pleased that so many got to know her through her writing, and will continue to do so.’