International Literary Properties acquires Mary Wesley’s literary estate

International Literary Properties (ILP) has acquired the literary estate of The Camomile Lawn novelist Mary Wesley for an undisclosed sum.   

The global company, which invests in, acquires and manages literary estates, said it was “thrilled and honoured to announce the acquisition”. ILP has already begun a “comprehensive programme of work to reinvigorate and champion Wesley’s work globally” through working with agents, publishers and producers to find new creative and commercial opportunities.

Wesley was born in 1912 and died in 2002, leaving her estate to her son, Toby Eady, and his wife, writer Xinran Xue. ILP said Wesley “led an extremely vibrant life, becoming a rebellious child after an unloving upbringing, earning her the nickname ‘Wild Mary’ [...] and during the Second World War Wesley was recruited into a code-breaking section of MI5”. 

ILP added: “One of Britain’s most successful novelists during her career, Mary Wesley found fame after publishing her first adult novel Jumping the Queue in 1983, at the age of 70. She went on to have a period of prolific creativity, writing a further nine bestsellers and selling three million copies of her books globally in the last 20 years of her life.” Four of Wesley’s books have been adapted into TV or film including The Camomile Lawn, which remains one of the most successful drama series of all time for Channel 4.  

Wesley’s daughter-in-law, author Xinran Xue, commented: “Mary was an incredible woman, an extraordinary author and a very close member of my family. It is really important for me to follow my darling husband Toby’s wishes.  

“Toby would have wanted Mary’s legacy to continue to be recognized by future generations. I know that the ILP team will protect and nurture Mary’s work and I am very much looking forward to working with them and being part of the exciting plans they have for her literary legacy.” 

Hilary Strong, ILP chief executive, UK and EMEA, said: “Mary Wesley’s books hold a special place in my heart, and so I am delighted to welcome the estate of Mary Wesley into ILP’s portfolio of literary IP. Wesley’s works took the literary world by storm and brought an unapologetically eccentric and refreshing perspective that was unlike anything else.

“We look forward to working closely with Xinran as well as Wesley’s literary agent, Veronique Baxter, her publishers and her fans, to uphold and enhance her legacy.”