Joyce Tyldesley was born in Bolton, Lancashire. She studied archaeology at Liverpool and Oxford Universities, before writing a series of academic yet accessible books on ancient Egypt, including several books for children. Her 2008 book Cleopatra: Egypt's Last Queen was a Radio 4 "Book of the Week".
Having taught prehistory at Liverpool University, Joyce currently teaches students througout the world on the innovative on-line Certificate Course in Egyptology, plus a series of Short Courses in Egyptology, at Manchester University.