Jean Talbot gained an Honours Degree in English from Durham University in 1959, and taught for a while after obtaining a teaching degree at Leeds University. In 1960, she married writer and academic Norman Talbot, and they came to Australia in 1963 when he took up a position at Newcastle University. She has had a lengthy association with Newcastle University as a lecturer and tutor, and from 1978 taught English to mature-age students in the Open University course. She also holds a Ph. D. from Newcastle University.
A committed Quaker, environmentalist and peace activist, Talbot has written poetry intermittently since school days, and has been involved with the local writing scene in Newcastle, especially with 'Poetry in the Pub'.
