Vale Jean Bedford

Author and editor Jean Bedford died on 11 December 2025.

The Newtown Review of Books writes:

Writer and editor Jean Bedford died after a long illness on 11 December 2025. She leaves a considerable literary legacy.

Author of 8 novels, including the ground-breaking historical novel Sister Kate, a trio of Anna Southwood detective novels, and 2 collections of short stories (one written with Rosemary Creswell), Jean was also co-founder of the Newtown Review of Books and co-editor from 2012 to 2019. Many of her reviews, which reflect the range of her reading, from Georgette Heyer’s crime novels to Emily Brontë and Jean Rhys, have continued to attract readers since they were first published.

A passionate advocate for the importance of books and writing across genres, Jean made a significant contribution to Australian literature both as writer and editor – she was literary editor of the National Times, edited several anthologies, and worked as a publisher’s editor with numerous authors – and as a teacher of creative writing, inspiring countless students.

You can read tributes to Jean from writers, agents and teaching colleagues in the Newtown Review of Books.

Category: Obituaries