Vivien Noakes
Introduction '''Vivien Noakes''' (née Langley; 16 February 1937 – 17 February 2011) was a British biographer, editor and critic, an expert on Edward Lear and the literature of the First World War. She was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Early life and education She was born Vivien Mary Langley, daughter of aeronautical engineer Marcus Langley and educated at Dunottar School, leaving with A-levels. It was not until later in life that she took her degree at Manchester College, Oxford, and Somerville College, Oxford, where she was subsequently lecturer.
Career She lectured at Harvard University and at the Yale Center for British Art. She was a leading authority - per her ''Times'' obituary, "the world's leading authority" - on Edward Lear and on the literature of World War I.
Personal life She was married to the painter Michael Noakes, in collaboration with whom she produced ''The Daily Life of The Queen: An Artist's Diary'' (2000); the couple had three children.She died of cancer the day after her 74th birthday, a month after suffering a stroke. Noakes left copies of many of Lear's letters to Somerville College Library.
Works *''Edward Lear, The Life of a Wanderer'' (1968). (2006 ed. )*''Edward Lear, 1812-1888'' (1986). *''The Painter Edward Lear'' (1991). *''The Daily Life of The Queen: An Artist's Diary'' (2000) with Michael Noakes. *''Voices of Silence'' (2006).
Links *  Michael and Vivien Noakes' website; accessed 10 April 2014.
References