Eleanor Burgin

Biggest influence

Probably my dad! A classic Yorkshireman who always stressed the value of hard work. He even had me learning to dry stone wall at age eight when I’d much rather have been playing with my Bratz dolls.

Career Highlight

I had the chance to help organise a major commemorative event in my previous job. We brought in inspiring speakers and seeing all the planning come together and how guests responded to our workshops / book readings was really satisfying.

Favourite Place
Transylvania. I went on a whim a couple of years ago and fell in love – winding drives through the Carpathian Mountains, storybook castles, and incredible food. Definitely recommend and no vampires in sight!

Alternative Career

I really love history, especially 19th and 20th century Russian history, so in another life I’d be a European History professor at some ivy-clad university straight out of a Donna Tartt novel.

More realistically, I’d run a Dobermann rescue; they’re the best dogs, just terribly misunderstood.