- Daughter of VAD nurse, writer, feminist, socialist, and pacifist Vera Brittain, and Sir George Edward Gordon Catlin, who was a political scientist and philosopher.
- In 1970 during a holiday in the USA, her husband, daughter and herself were subjected to a 250 mile terror drive by an armed hitchhiker.
- Became Baroness Williams of Crosby when she was awarded a life peerage in 1993.
- [September 2004] Steps down as the Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords after having served three years in the position since being elected in 2001.
- Has a daughter Rebecca, a lawyer, and three nephews including BBC producer/director Daniel Brittain-Catlin-Catlin and architect Timothy Brittain-Catlin.
- Was dubbed Shirley Poppins by Dennis Skinner.
- Was screen-tested for the role of Velvet Brown in Le Grand National (1944).
- She was awarded the Right Honourable Baroness in Hertfordshire, England before being awarded the Member of the Companion of Honour in the Order of the Companion of Honour in the 2017 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to political and public life.
- Labour MP, 1964-1979.
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