Elizabeth Farren, Countess of derby (1790 Thomas Lawrence)
NON-FICTION
ELIZABETH FARREN, COUNTESS OF DERBY
The true story of a poor Irish girl who rose to super stardom as an elegant actress of drawing room comedy and made her own fortune before marrying, at age 34, the (liberal) politician, the 12th Earl of Derby. As Countess, Elizabeth used their high-flying social life to create an association of free schools for poor girls and boys. A very cool lady.
Because she destroyed her correspondence, I’ve needed to research the hundreds of people who passed through her life to find traces of her in their papers. Piecing together this incredible story has unfolded over 30 years and at long last, I am deep into writing it. There has been so much misinformation published about her, it will be a pleasure to set the historical record straight.
Will I ever get to write and publish this? Only time will tell.