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Perdita : the life of Mary Robinson

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Sex, fame and scandal in the theatrical, literary and social circles of late-eighteenth century England.

One of the most flamboyant women of the late-eighteenth century, Mary Robinson's life was marked by reversals of fortune.

After being raised by a middle-class father, Mary was married, at age fourteen, to Thomas Robinson.

His dissipated lifestyle landed the couple and their baby in debtors' prison, where Mary wrote her first book of poetry and met lifelong friend Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire.

On her release, Mary quickly became one of the most popular actresses of the day, famously playing Perdita in The Winter's Tale for a rapt audience that included the Prince of Wales, who fell madly in love with her.

She later used his copious love letters for blackmail.

This authoritative and engaging book presents a fascinating portrait of a woman who was variously darling of the London stage, a poet whose work was admired by Coleridge and a mistress to the most powerful men in England, and yet whose fortunes were nevertheless precarious, always on the brink of being squandered through recklessness, excess and passion.

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Product Details
HarperPerennial
0007164599 / 9780007164592
Paperback / softback
17/01/2005
United Kingdom
English
xvi, 477 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.)
20 cm
general Learn More
Reprint. Originally published: London: HarperCollins, 2004.
Lead title Sex, fame and scandal in the theatrical, literary and social circles of late-eighteenth century England. A brilliant popular history in the tradition of Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire. Byrne is young and highly marketable. Perfect for TV/Film adaptation. Byrne's first book Jane Austen and the Theatre received rave reviews. Chosen for Richard and Judy's Book Club. The programme is to be aired on 3rd March.
Lead title Sex, fame and scandal in the theatrical, literary and social circles of late-eighteenth century England. A brilliant popular history in the tradition of Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire. Byrne is young and highly marketable. Perfect for TV/Film adaptation. Byrne's first book Jane Austen and the Theatre received rave reviews. Chosen for Richard and Judy's Book Club. The programme is to be aired on 3rd March. 2AB English, BG Biography: general, DSBD Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800, DSC Literary studies: poetry & poets