Isabel Diana Colegate FRSL was born on September 10, 1931, and passed away on March 12, 2023. She was a British author and literary agent.

Early life and education

Colegate was born in Paddington, London, England. She was the youngest daughter among four children born to Sir Arthur Colegate and Winifred Mary. Winifred Mary was the daughter of Sir William Worsley, 3rd Baronet, and the wife of Captain Francis Percy Campbell Pemberton of the 2nd Life Guards. Captain Pemberton died during World War I while serving in the military.

Colegate was a first cousin to Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Katharine was also a granddaughter of Sir William Worsley, 3rd Baronet.

Colegate attended Runton Hill School in Norfolk.

Career

In 1952, Colegate, along with Anthony Blond, formed the publishing company, Anthony Blond (London) Ltd.

Colegate's novel The Shooting Party (1980) was adapted into a film with the same name, which was released in 1985 by Castle Hill Productions Inc. In 2010, the novel was adapted for radio by the BBC.

Marriage and children

In 1953, Colegate married Michael Fenwick Briggs. They had two sons, Barnaby and Joshua, and a daughter, Emily. From 1961 to 2007, they lived at Midford Castle near Bath.