AustLit

Vivian Stuart lived in Sydney, Perth and Newcastle for about eight years and studied at Newcastle Technical Institute for her Diploma in Industrial Chemistry and Laboratory Technique which she completed in 1942. She had already studied pathology at the University of London and the University of Budapest. During World War 2 she served as a noncombatant with the Australian Forces, later with the Women's Auxiliary Services of the British Fourteenth Army in Burma (1944-45), Japan and India, and was awarded the Burma Star with Pacific Clasp. These experiences contributed to her gaining respect as a naval historical novelist. Stuart co-founded the Romantic Novelists' Association, acting as chairperson from 1960-1963, and was a member of the Crime Writers' Association, and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. As Barbara Allen she won best historical romance 1964 for Like Victors and Lords (Romantic Novelists Association UK), and writing as Alex Stuart , she was runner-up for best romantic novel 1960 for Star of Oudh. She also wrote romance novels as Fiona Finlay, V. A. Stuart and Robyn Stuart.