Dorothy Dunnett [August 25, 1923--November 9, 2001] was the full name of the historical novelist from Dunfermline, Scotland. Her full birth name was Dorothy Halliday, but on September 17, 1946, she married Alastair MacTavish Dunnett [December 26, 1908--September 2, 1998], changing her name to Dorothy Dunnett. Her husband was knighted on July 4, 1995 becoming Sir Alastair Dunnett and she then became known as Lady Dunnett.
She wrote her historical novels under her married name of Dorothy Dunnett, but her Johnson Johmson mystery novels were mostly written under her maiden name of Dorothy Hallliday - although they were later republished under her married name of Dorothy Dunnett. The later Johnson Johnson books were always published under the name of Dorothy Dunnett.
Dorothy Dunnett was a portrait painter. After her marriage, she continued to paint for a while under the name Dorothy Halliday, but switched to Dorothy Dunnett because she said her clients found it too confusing that she was Dorothy Halliday but married to Alastair Dunnett.
In line with tradition, Mrs Dunnett often signed herself "Mrs Alastair M. Dunnett" when writing letters.
