Mary Renault (1905-1983) was a British writer known for her historical novels set in Ancient Greece. Born as Eileen Mary Challans, she adopted the pen name Mary Renault for her literary work. She studied English at St Hugh's College, Oxford, and later trained as a nurse at the Radcliffe Infirmary. Renault's novels are celebrated for their vivid portrayal of life in the ancient world, as well as their depth of character and psychological insight. She gained critical acclaim with her works such as "The King Must Die" and "The Bull from the Sea," which explore the myths of Theseus with a blend of historical and fictional narrative. Renault is also renowned for her trilogy about the life of Alexander the Great, which includes "Fire from Heaven," "The Persian Boy," and "Funeral Games." In addition to historical fiction, Renault wrote contemporary novels that often dealt with homosexual themes at a time when such topics were considered taboo. Her work has been appreciated for its sympathetic treatment of same-sex relationships and has won her a lasting legacy in both the LGBT community and the broader literary world.