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Harriette Wilson's Memoirs: The Memoirs of the Reigning Courtesan of Regency London

Harriette Wilson's Memoirs: The Memoirs of the Reigning Courtesan of Regency London

by Lesley Blanch (Editor), Lesley Blanch (Editor), Harriette Wilson (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 2003

    $3.29
Synopsis

Nineteenth century London produced a fine flowering of eccentrics and individualists. Chief among them was Harriette Wilson, whose patrons included most of the distinguished men of the day, from the Duke of Wellington to Lord Byron. She held court in a box at the opera, attended by statesmen, poets, national heroes, aristocrats, members of the beau monde, and students who hoped to be immortalised by her glance. She wrote these memoirs in middle age, when she had fallen out of favour. She advised her former lovers that for 200 she would edit them out. 'Publish and be damned!' retorted the Duke of Wellington. The result is an elegant, zestful, unrepentant memoir, which offers intimately detailed portraits of the Regency demimonde. First published in 1957.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 480
 Edition: New
 Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Published: 09 Jan 2003
ISBN 10: 1842126326
ISBN 13: 9781842126325
Book Overview: The glittering story of one of the most glamorous women of her age 'At times it reads like a Regency version of Sex in the City' Financial Times First published in 1825 - 31 editions in the first year alone o Expertly abridged from the multi-volume original by Lesley Blanch o Stories of upper-class shenanigans have popular appeal o Offers an unrivalled insight into life in Regency England

Author Bio
Lesley Blanch was born in London, England, and has travelled over most of the globe. She began her career as a painter, illustrator and theatrical designer, but in 1937 transferred her allegiance to journalism and became features editor of London VOGUE. Her essays and articles have since appeared in most of Britain's leading periodicals, including the OBSERVER and the NEW STATESMAN. Harriette Wilson (1786-1846) was one of the most glamorous and intelligent women of her age. She allowed herself to be seduced by Lord Craven at the age of 15 and rapidly acquired a string of rich and powerful lovers, chief among whom was the Duke of Wellington. After retiring from the courtesan life at the age of 35 she wrote a number of novels as well as her scandalous MEMOIRS. Lesley Blanch, the editor of the present volume, was born in London, England, and has travelled over most of the globe. Her essays and articles have appeared in most of Britain's leading periodicals, including the OBSERVER and the NEW STATESMAN. She now lives in France.