This is lovely stuff - and meat and drink to anyone writing historical fiction. There's always more complexity, individuality and range in real history than the potted versions we're taught.
I hadn't come across Florence Keynes's memoir, except at one remove in reading about her sons Maynard and Geoffrey. Delightful to see Gwen Raverat's illustration on the cover: handy to have an artist as your daughter-in-law's sister!
Thanks for your kind words, Emma! I like your description of 'meat and drink' and so admire what historical fiction writers can do with such material... thanks too for the Note which I will share on the app.
As one of your commenters said below, Ann, wonderful inspiration for anyone writing historical fiction (something I would love to try my hand at one day). History has always been one of my favourite subjects, but the stuff we're taught at school barely scratches the surface and more often than not completely omits women in the retelling. I can't wait to read more!
Thank you Emily and it’s lovely to have connected with you! It was Emma Darwin who made that nice remark - do explore her excellent The Itch of Writing as she’d be a great advisor on writing in different genres. I agree with you about school history- much more fun to explore things as a writer!
I have seen other examples of women who took over a family firm, often, like Louisa, after the death of their husband. It seems it was more acceptable than the idea of a woman starting a business on her own, but the women were often very capable. Eleanor Coade, whose firm made artificial stone, never married and is a great example of a successful Georgian business woman. https://heritagecalling.com/2021/11/01/the-story-of-pioneering-businesswoman-eleanor-coade/
This is lovely stuff - and meat and drink to anyone writing historical fiction. There's always more complexity, individuality and range in real history than the potted versions we're taught.
I hadn't come across Florence Keynes's memoir, except at one remove in reading about her sons Maynard and Geoffrey. Delightful to see Gwen Raverat's illustration on the cover: handy to have an artist as your daughter-in-law's sister!
Thanks for your kind words, Emma! I like your description of 'meat and drink' and so admire what historical fiction writers can do with such material... thanks too for the Note which I will share on the app.
As one of your commenters said below, Ann, wonderful inspiration for anyone writing historical fiction (something I would love to try my hand at one day). History has always been one of my favourite subjects, but the stuff we're taught at school barely scratches the surface and more often than not completely omits women in the retelling. I can't wait to read more!
Thank you Emily and it’s lovely to have connected with you! It was Emma Darwin who made that nice remark - do explore her excellent The Itch of Writing as she’d be a great advisor on writing in different genres. I agree with you about school history- much more fun to explore things as a writer!
I have seen other examples of women who took over a family firm, often, like Louisa, after the death of their husband. It seems it was more acceptable than the idea of a woman starting a business on her own, but the women were often very capable. Eleanor Coade, whose firm made artificial stone, never married and is a great example of a successful Georgian business woman. https://heritagecalling.com/2021/11/01/the-story-of-pioneering-businesswoman-eleanor-coade/
That is so interesting Kate, thank you. I have noted your post about Eleanor Coade to read later- and hope to share it in a future post of mine
I am sure there will be some Coade stone in Cambridge.
Wow! Great stuff. And of course one of Florence Ada's kids was John Maynard Keynes...
Thank you, Kathleen. Yes! What an amazing family.