Doris May Lessing, CH, OBE (née Tayler; born 22 October 1919) is a British writer, author of works such as the novels The Grass is Singing and The Golden Notebook.

In 2007, Lessing won the Nobel Prize in Literature. She was described by the Swedish Academy as that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny. Lessing is the eleventh woman to win the prize in its 106-year history, and also the oldest person ever to win the literature award.