January 11 1999, the novelist and politician Naomi Mitchison died.

A prolific and popular writer, she is probably best known for her historical novels. These include The Conquered, The Corn King and the Spring Queen and The Bull Calves. She was created a Life Peer in 1964.

Mitchison's uncle was RB Haldane, the Liberal and Labour Lord Chancellor. Her father was the physiologist and philosopher JS Haldane, and her brother was JBS Haldane, the pioneering geneticist.

On January 11 1940, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Association was set up. This independently funded service was responsible for blood and blood products in Scotland. The National Blood Transfusion Service in England and Wales was not set up until the 26 September 1946.

Today's recipe: a spicy and aromatic soup perfect for those still sticking to health conscious resolutions. Good vegetable soup.