Wonderful essay, Ann, and I’m happy to learn more about Fanny Prothero. The stories of Henry James’ friends could fill many books, I think! Interestingly, Emily Sargent, John Singer Sargent’s sister and best friend, lived down the hall from Henry in Carlyle Mansions i. Chelsea, and was also good friends with Henry, through John, and they often had dinner together. She and younger sister Violet stayed over in Henry’s flat after the second stroke, waiting for Alice James to arrive.
He did seem to have a lot of women friends, didn't he? Very touching that they rallied around him at that time. I loved the way that you captured Edith Wharton's personality in your own essay, and how sad she was to have lost her writer friends during the war - and perhaps spurred on to write The Age of innocence, partly in their honour.
Yes it's hard to find out much about Fanny Prothero apart from her letters in the archive - but they are very enjoyable to read. I wanted to bring out her personality a bit, it's so easy for historical women to appear as 'the wife/daughter of' (ok, in this case she's 'the friend of', but still!)
This was such a lovely essay, Ann. I spent a few years absorbed in the master's novels and stories and they live in me still. After reading this, though I have never wanted to meet my literary heroes, I am left wondering what it would have been like to pop round for tea and opium with James. Perhaps if Prothero was present, it would be fun.
Thanks very much Jeffrey, it was fun to think about this, and the difference that a friend can make. Pleased to hear you are a fan of James too. My sense of Fanny Prothero is that some Cambridge people perhaps thought of her as an intellectual lightweight, but I think she was extremely intelligent. Tea (with or without opium) with both of them would be very enjoyable!
Wonderful essay, Ann, and I’m happy to learn more about Fanny Prothero. The stories of Henry James’ friends could fill many books, I think! Interestingly, Emily Sargent, John Singer Sargent’s sister and best friend, lived down the hall from Henry in Carlyle Mansions i. Chelsea, and was also good friends with Henry, through John, and they often had dinner together. She and younger sister Violet stayed over in Henry’s flat after the second stroke, waiting for Alice James to arrive.
He did seem to have a lot of women friends, didn't he? Very touching that they rallied around him at that time. I loved the way that you captured Edith Wharton's personality in your own essay, and how sad she was to have lost her writer friends during the war - and perhaps spurred on to write The Age of innocence, partly in their honour.
I think that’s right, all that loss may have led her to The Age of Innocence.
Very interesting. It's not a name I recognise but she sounds lovely!
Yes it's hard to find out much about Fanny Prothero apart from her letters in the archive - but they are very enjoyable to read. I wanted to bring out her personality a bit, it's so easy for historical women to appear as 'the wife/daughter of' (ok, in this case she's 'the friend of', but still!)
This was such a lovely essay, Ann. I spent a few years absorbed in the master's novels and stories and they live in me still. After reading this, though I have never wanted to meet my literary heroes, I am left wondering what it would have been like to pop round for tea and opium with James. Perhaps if Prothero was present, it would be fun.
And thank you for the kind mention!
Thanks very much Jeffrey, it was fun to think about this, and the difference that a friend can make. Pleased to hear you are a fan of James too. My sense of Fanny Prothero is that some Cambridge people perhaps thought of her as an intellectual lightweight, but I think she was extremely intelligent. Tea (with or without opium) with both of them would be very enjoyable!