Richard Hope (Estate)

Born in Ashton, Manchester on 11th October 1970, Richard was brought up near Stockport and went to Marple Hall School, where he played football and earned eight 'O' levels and three 'A' levels. Richard then worked in a greengrocers, a toy shop, a hotel and a polyester factory, before going to the University of Kent to study for a degree in English and American Literature. After graduating in 1993 he worked as a chef in the Lake District, saved up, then moved to London in March 1995 to write. Richard died on 20th May 1998.