Valery Rees works on a variety of topics connected with the Italian Renaissance, primarily the Letters of Marsilio Ficino. She also teaches for the Lucca Leadership Trust which offers week-long courses to young people from all over the world who have an active interest in helping their own communities.

She holds an MA in History from Cambridge University (Newnham College) and taught Latin at St James Independent School in London for 17 years before leaving to concentrate on research and writing.

She lives in London with her husband who is a management consultant and company director. They enjoy much pleasure and companionship from their five children, their children’s partners and five grandchildren.