Mary, Countess of Derby, and the Politics of Victorian Britain

Lady Mary Derby (1824-1900) occupied a pivotal position in Victorian politics, yet her activities have largely been overlooked or ignored. This volume provides a rich investigation of how a woman, with few legal or constitutional rights, was able to become a significant figure in mid-Victorian political life.

List of contents

• Introduction


• Part 1: The Politics of Home


• 1: 'History will judge us right': A Political Life


• 2: 'It is the next best thing to a 'chat' in St J squ': Politics by Letter


• 3: 'The Most Attentive Hostess in the World': Politics At Home


• Part II: The Politics of Westminster


• 4: 'That Miserable Party Spirit': Mary and the Conservative Party


• 5: 'Begin a Fresh': Mary and the Liberal Party


• Part III: The Politics of Diplomacy


• 6: 'Amphibious agents': Aristocratic Women and Diplomatic Culture


• 7: 'I am behind the scenes': The Eastern Crisis I


• 8: 'I should be open to the still graver charge of betraying H. M. Govt.': The Eastern Crisis II


• Conclusion

About the author

Jennifer Davey is Lecturer in Modern British History at the University of East Anglia.

Summary

Lady Mary Derby (1824-1900) occupied a pivotal position in Victorian politics, yet her activities have largely been overlooked or ignored. This volume provides a rich investigation of how a woman, with few legal or constitutional rights, was able to become a significant figure in mid-Victorian political life.

Additional text

Davey's is a granular account, attuned to her subject's idiosyncrasies and changes ofmind and heart. As such, the book offers a powerful and nuanced example of some of the themes regarding female political agency explored elsewhere in related works by K. D. Reynolds, Kathryn Gleadle, Sarah Richardson, Clare Midgley, Amanda Foreman, and Elaine Chalus.

Product details

• Authors: Jennifer Davey, Jennifer (Lecturer in Modern British Histor Davey
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 13.06.2019
• EAN: 9780198786252
• ISBN: 978-0-19-878625-2
• No. of pages: 224
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Modern era up to 1918; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, European History, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / Political Advocacy, HISTORY / Modern / General, c 1800 to c 1900, Political activism, British & Irish history, United Kingdom, Great Britain, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, 1837–1901 (Victorian period), Political activism / Political engagement