Elizabeth Wilson was born in London, attended schools in England, China and the USA and studied cello at the Moscow Conservatoire with Mstislav Rostropovich, learning to speak fluent Russian whilst there. On her return to London she embarked on a performing, teaching and writing career.

Her recently updated biography of Shostakovich - Shostakovich: A Life Remembered (Faber) - was first published to great critical acclaim in l994, and her biography of Jacqueline du Pre (Faber) - similarly acclaimed - was published in 1998.