Barbara Erskine is an English novelist, born on 10 August 1944 in Nottingham. She is the daughter of World War II Battle of Britain flying ace Squadron Leader Nigel Rose.

Erskine holds a degree in medieval Scottish history from the University of Edinburgh and splits her time between Hay-on-Wye and North Essex.

She is renowned for her bestselling novels and collections of short stories that skilfully weave together elements of history and the supernatural. Her debut novel, Lady of Hay, has sold over three million copies worldwide since its publication in 1986.

Barbara Erskine has published six bestselling novels and two collections of short stories, with her works being translated into at least twenty languages. She resides with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, as well as in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.