Acclaimed writer who interviewed John Lennon and was the widow of famous Sheffield cutlery designer dies at 80

Fiona MacCarthy interviewed stars such as John Lennon and David Hockney, and wrote a notable book about the sculptor Eric Gill that exposed him as a sexual predator.

While working for The Guardian, one of her journalistic subjects was Ecclesall-born David Mellor, known for his Pride cutlery range and for redesigning Britain's traffic light system. She profiled him at his studio and bedsit on Park Lane, Broomhall, in 1964, and they married two years later.

MacCarthy relocated to Sheffield, later living with Mellor and their children Corin and Clare in the historic Broom Hall. She inspired the launch of the first David Mellor shop in Sloane Square, London, and in 1990 moved with her husband to the architecturally stunning Round Building, the family’s distinctive factory complex in Hathersage.

She wrote biographies of the designer William Morris, artist Stanley Spencer and poet Lord Byron at the Round Building. Mellor died in 2009 and her last biography, published last year, was of Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus art school.

The great-granddaughter of engineering contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, she grew up in London and Scotland and studied at Oxford. In 1958, MacCarthy was one of the last young women to 'come out into society' in the final official debutante season.

Possessing an eye for good design, she progressed to jobs at House and Garden magazine, The Guardian and - for a short time - was the women's editor of the Evening Standard.

Her links to Sheffield's metalworking industry introduced her to the world of biographies. Her first book, in 1981, focused on the Arts and Crafts movement's CR Ashbee; her life of Eric Gill, meanwhile, emerged in 1989.

She curated exhibitions for the V&A, Museums Sheffield and the National Portrait Gallery, and was appointed OBE in 2009. She served as president of the 20th Century Society, and was a fellow of the Royal College of Art and the Royal Society of Literature.

MacCarthy died after a long illness on Saturday, February 29, and is survived by Clare and Corin, who succeeded his father as creative director of the David Mellor Design company.

A funeral service for family and friends will take place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Hathersage, Derbyshire on Thursday, March 12, at 2pm. Family flowers only. Donations if desired can be made to The Twentieth Century Society via www.c20society.org.uk/action/donate.

A memorial gathering to celebrate MacCarthy’s life and work will be held in London later this year.