Winifred Duke (1893–1962) was a British novelist, historian, and writer of true crime accounts. Born in Liverpool, she spent a significant portion of her life in Scotland, which served as the setting and inspiration for much of her historical and fictional work. She was a prolific author during the mid-20th century, producing over 60 volumes across several genres.
Duke is recognized primarily for her historical fiction and her meticulous examinations of notable criminal trials. Her historical interests often focused on the Jacobite period, exemplified by works such as Lord George Murray and the Forty-Five (1927) and The Prince and the Road (1949). These works were noted for their attention to period detail and their focus on the psychological motivations of historical figures.
In the genre of crime, Duke wrote both detective fiction and factual accounts of "causes célèbres." Her true crime writing often analyzed the legal and social ramifications of famous British trials, including those of Harold Greenwood and Ronald Light. Her approach to crime writing was characterized by a focus on the atmosphere and the character of the accused, rather than a singular focus on the procedural aspects of the law.
Notable fictional works by Duke include The Bastard Verge (1931), The Sown Wind (1932), and The Household Gods (1939). While she was a well-known literary figure during her lifetime, her work is now primarily studied within the contexts of early 20th-century British crime literature and Scottish historical narrative.