[close] Josephine Tey was a pseudonym of Elizabeth Mackintosh (July 25, 1896–February 13, 1952). Josephine was her mother's first name and Tey the surname of an English Grandmother. As Josephine Tey, she wrote 6 mystery novels starring Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant.

Another pseudonym was Gordon Daviot, playwright.

Mackintosh also wrote plays (both one act and full length), some of which were produced during her lifetime, under the pseudonym Gordon Daviot. The district of Daviot, near her home of Inverness in Scotland, was a location her family had vacationed. The name Gordon does not appear in either her family or her history.

Elizabeth Mackintosh came of age during World War I, attending Anstey Physical Training College in Birmingham, England during the years of 1915-1918. Upon graduation, she was a physical training instructor for eight years. In 1926, her mother died and she returned home to Inverness to care for her invalid father. Busy with household duties, she turned to writing as a diversion, and was successful in creating a second career.

Miss Mackintosh never married, and died at the age of 55, in London. A shy woman, she is reported to have been somewhat of a mystery even to her intimate friends. While her death seems to have been a surprise, there is some indication she may have known she was fatally ill for some time prior to her passing. [close]