The Secretary of State has reappointed Tracy Chevalier and Dr Simon Thurley as Trustees of the British Library for a terms of four years from 1 April 2019.
Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier FRSL is the author of ten novels. She is best known for the international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into 39 languages, sold over 5 million copies worldwide, and made into a film. Her most recent books are the historical novel At the Edge of the Orchard, and New Boy, a retelling of Othello for the Shakespeare Project. Her new novel, A Single Thread, will be published in 2019. She is President of the Royal Literary Fund, a Trustee of the British Library, former Chair of the Society of Authors and of the Public Lending Right Advisory Committee, and holds honorary degrees from her alma maters, Oberlin College and the University of East Anglia. She grew up in Washington DC and in 1984 moved to London, where she lives with her husband and son.
Dr. Simon Thurley
Dr. Simon Thurley is a leading historian, curator and heritage expert. Between 2003 and 2015 he was chief executive of English Heritage. Previously he ran the Museum of London and before that was Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research and Visiting Professor of the Built Environment at Gresham College. His books include The Building of England, Men from the Ministry, Houses of Power and Whitehall Palace. He holds several non-executive posts including being a member of the shadow board for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster. In 2012 was awarded a CBE for services to heritage.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Tracy and Simon have declared no such activity.
