David Whitfield is a British author and journalist, best known for his debut novel in the historical fiction genre, The Unravelling of Mary Reddish (2025). The book received praise from authors Alison Moore and Jane Harris, who described it as "powerful" and "intelligent".
Born and raised in England, David Whitfield studied Communications Studies at Trent Polytechnic between 1985 and 1988. In 1998, he completed a preliminary journalism qualification at the Sheffield College's Norton Campus, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He gained the full qualification — the National Certificate in Newspaper Journalism 2000.
Whitfield has worked in journalism for more than 25 years. He began his career in Nottingham, holding editorial roles at The Nottingham Post from 2010 to 2020, including as news editor, commissioning editor, and digital content editor. Since January 2020, he has worked as The Guardian's assistant readers’ editor.
While living in Sneinton, a suburb of Nottingham, less than half a mile from the site of England’s first publicly funded asylum, Whitfield developed the idea for his first novel.
Set in 1827, The Unravelling of Mary Reddish (2025) follows a young housemaid who is unjustly confined to a Nottingham asylum. As Mary Reddish endures harsh treatment, she builds alliances within the institution and challenges her fate and the practices around her. The story also focuses on the inner struggles of Ann and Thomas Morris, the asylum’s matron and director, who are trying to introduce humane reforms.
Photo credit: X @davidwhitfield1
Born and raised in England, David Whitfield studied Communications Studies at Trent Polytechnic between 1985 and 1988. In 1998, he completed a preliminary journalism qualification at the Sheffield College's Norton Campus, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He gained the full qualification — the National Certificate in Newspaper Journalism 2000.
Whitfield has worked in journalism for more than 25 years. He began his career in Nottingham, holding editorial roles at The Nottingham Post from 2010 to 2020, including as news editor, commissioning editor, and digital content editor. Since January 2020, he has worked as The Guardian's assistant readers’ editor.
While living in Sneinton, a suburb of Nottingham, less than half a mile from the site of England’s first publicly funded asylum, Whitfield developed the idea for his first novel.
Set in 1827, The Unravelling of Mary Reddish (2025) follows a young housemaid who is unjustly confined to a Nottingham asylum. As Mary Reddish endures harsh treatment, she builds alliances within the institution and challenges her fate and the practices around her. The story also focuses on the inner struggles of Ann and Thomas Morris, the asylum’s matron and director, who are trying to introduce humane reforms.
Photo credit: X @davidwhitfield1
Books
fb2epub
Drag & drop your files
(not more than 5 at once)