From Plymouth to Parliament : A Rhetorical History to Nancy Astor's 1919 Campaign

Nancy Astor, the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons, has been a interesting subject for most of the 20th century.

Recognized for efforts on behalf of women and remembered for her witty exchanges with Winston Churchill, she was also a good campaigner, winning seven consecutive elections in 25 years.

Offering insights from a rhetorical perspective, this is an in-depth exploration of Astor's initial campaign in 1919.

Author Karen Musolf reveals how Astor surmounted obstacles in creating an acceptable persona, gathering women voters, confronting opponents, chastising hecklers, and coping with an unruly press.

Musolf draws upon a great number of primary sources provided by the Astor archives, and focuses on the dynamic interplay of voices heard throughout the campaign.