Betty Collins was a political and social activist for most of her life. From the 1920s to the late 1960s she was a member of the Communist Party. She was also an early member of the Realist Writers and was friends with Frank Hardy, Dymphna Cusack and Mary Gilmore (qq.v.).
In addition to her two novels, Collins published poetry, stories and articles in Australia, Britain and the USSR. She also wrote non-fiction books under the name Liz Collins, including Joy and the Age of Aquarius (1983), a work influenced by her exploration of Zen, Hinduism and the nature of belief. Collins's major work was The Alexander Conspiracy (1998) which challenges conventional ideas on history and religion. In addition to her writing Collins also taught in the Department of English at the University of Sydney.
Collins is a granddaughter of Randolph Bedford and niece of Eric Bedford (qq.v.).
Source: 'Her Fight for Causes was a Fight for the Future' by Mahni Dugan, Sydney Morning Herald, 11-12 November 2006.
