“Famous during her lifetime.” And I am being introduced to Eileen Power for the first time. An extraordinary woman, an incredible life. Why aren’t film studios fighting over the rights to her story? I’m thinking Cait Blanchett should portray her.
What a gift, Ann. Thank you for bringing your remarkable talents to another brilliant woman’s life.
Cate Blanchett would be perfect for the part, Mary! And you're right, Power's story is amazing and it's bittersweet that she achieved so much and broke through so many barriers, but didn't have long enough to do all the things she wanted to do. The 'forgetting' of pioneering women historians seems rather common, alas, so I was grateful to Francesca Wade for including her.
Such an interesting piece. I didn't know of her at all, yet she achieved so much and should be better known. How tragic that her life ended when she had still so much to give.
Thanks Deborah! Yes it is terribly sad that she died at 51, when she was at her peak. Hoping that she gets more recognition for her work, especially at Cambridge where it all started.
What an intriguing woman though I’m distraught that she died so young, and now I really must read Squarehaunting which has been on the shelf waiting its moment. I think I’d like to read Medieval Nunneries too; I do find books and novels about nuns so fascinating.
Thank you Grace, and it's very poignant that Power didn't get to live a longer life (but achieved so much in the time she had). Her book on nunneries certainly impressed Woolf. I have the feeling that even in Girton College, not everyone knows who the Power Feast was named after.
‘Power saw no reason why an interest in clothes and a sense of humour could not be combined with professional rigour.’ Just over the weekend I was reading an interview with a young Spanish girl who shares her passion for science in her YouTube channel, which is quite successful as she makes complex content accessible. The main thing people pay attention to? The way she dresses, which is considered at odds with being serious and knowledgeable. Having said that, what a fascinating character Eileen Power seems to have been! Reading these pieces, and in particular this one, makes me think about how great it’d be to have a series on these women. If any of your subscribers is on tv or content production hope they get in touch because there’s definitely a great potential here for a compelling show.
There is a parallel with Kathleen Lyttelton as she and Eileen Power both died in their early fifties. I feel certain that both would have become much better known after they died had they lived a fuller life span. Your account of Eileen Power's work is inspiring.
That is very true, Andrew. The loss of such women when they really were in their prime, doing their best work, means that they have been overlooked in the histories of the time, unlike Kathleen's co-worker and friend, Millicent Garrett Fawcett. Thank you for your kind words!
I am particularly impressed that Eileen Power did not attend any genteel colonial dinner parties when she was in India. England would have gotten out of India much sooner if women like Eileen Power had been in charge and she might even have reined in the East India Company early on before it went wild creating havoc all over India (although that was before she was born). She seems like she was a person who was extremely brilliant but never lacked heart unlike most men of that time. Heart should never only appear in one gender as though being considered a congenital defect if it ever appeared in a man even if ever so slightly. I think she would have been extremely disheartened with India's percentage of world trade at 24% before being taken as a British colony shrinking precipitously to 4% by the time England left in 1947.
Thank you Larry for your perceptive comment. The damage done to India and other colonies by the British Empire was terrible indeed. It's good to know that Eileen Power wanted no part of it.
Ann, do you know if there are any recordings from Eileen and Beryl's BBC broadcasts still available? I'd love to hear their voices. (Also, I'm planning on audiobook recordings of my novel Blackmail In Bloomsbury, in which Eileen has a minor role, and it would be useful for my narrator!)
Hi Anna, that's a very good question – I will check my sources (mainly LSE/Francesca Wade) and see if I can find out. My sense is that they were erased by the BBC, but you never know. Love the idea of your audiobook, and that Eileen has a walk-on part!
This is a marvellous presentation of Eileen Power and I too thoroughly recommend Square Haunting for anyone who’s interest has been sparked. It inspired me to visit Mecklenburg Square which combines well with a visit to the Foundling Museum next door!
Thank you for this latest eye-opener. A shiver went through me as I read the titles of Power’s books. MEDIEVAL PEOPLE was on the required reading list for a history course I took at the University of Toronto in 1970. Natalie Zemon Davis was one of the lecturers. I recall Power’s book as colourful and engaging but paid no attention to the byline.
Just spotted your lovely comment, Rona, and am impressed by your prodigious memory & range of reading... I guess the book's titles weren't the most appealing, but it sounds like Power (and Zemon Davis?) really did want to make history relevant to everyone.
Always interested to hear more of Eileen Power. She was friendly with Romer Wilson, the modernist writer I am researching, and mentions her in correspondence with Margery Spring-Rice (held in the Girton Archive). 'We did a theatre together in London and were greatly pleased with each other. At least I hope it was mutual,' Eileen wrote in April 1915 and in 1918 she reported that '[Roma] has been in her nicest mood & has made me a topping cloth dress'. Sadly, no description of the dress but interesting to see more evidence of her interest in clothes.
Belated thanks for this fascinating information, Val. I love it when the women I write about turn up in other people's letters! That's a lovely insight into Power's friendships and love of fashion. I might have some questions to ask you about Margery Spring-Rice too.
“Famous during her lifetime.” And I am being introduced to Eileen Power for the first time. An extraordinary woman, an incredible life. Why aren’t film studios fighting over the rights to her story? I’m thinking Cait Blanchett should portray her.
What a gift, Ann. Thank you for bringing your remarkable talents to another brilliant woman’s life.
Cate Blanchett would be perfect for the part, Mary! And you're right, Power's story is amazing and it's bittersweet that she achieved so much and broke through so many barriers, but didn't have long enough to do all the things she wanted to do. The 'forgetting' of pioneering women historians seems rather common, alas, so I was grateful to Francesca Wade for including her.
What an extraordinary trio of sisters, from very unpromising beginnings. The grandmothers and aunts who brought them up did a fantastic job!
Such an interesting piece. I didn't know of her at all, yet she achieved so much and should be better known. How tragic that her life ended when she had still so much to give.
Thanks Deborah! Yes it is terribly sad that she died at 51, when she was at her peak. Hoping that she gets more recognition for her work, especially at Cambridge where it all started.
Oh my heavens, what a story! Thank you. Wonderful to get these glimpses into interesting people's lives.
What an intriguing woman though I’m distraught that she died so young, and now I really must read Squarehaunting which has been on the shelf waiting its moment. I think I’d like to read Medieval Nunneries too; I do find books and novels about nuns so fascinating.
Many thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you Grace, and it's very poignant that Power didn't get to live a longer life (but achieved so much in the time she had). Her book on nunneries certainly impressed Woolf. I have the feeling that even in Girton College, not everyone knows who the Power Feast was named after.
I now discover the book on Nunneries is free to read on Kindle.
Wonderful! The nuns are adapting to the modern world.
‘Power saw no reason why an interest in clothes and a sense of humour could not be combined with professional rigour.’ Just over the weekend I was reading an interview with a young Spanish girl who shares her passion for science in her YouTube channel, which is quite successful as she makes complex content accessible. The main thing people pay attention to? The way she dresses, which is considered at odds with being serious and knowledgeable. Having said that, what a fascinating character Eileen Power seems to have been! Reading these pieces, and in particular this one, makes me think about how great it’d be to have a series on these women. If any of your subscribers is on tv or content production hope they get in touch because there’s definitely a great potential here for a compelling show.
Thank you Ann. What a woman, so interesting!
There is a parallel with Kathleen Lyttelton as she and Eileen Power both died in their early fifties. I feel certain that both would have become much better known after they died had they lived a fuller life span. Your account of Eileen Power's work is inspiring.
That is very true, Andrew. The loss of such women when they really were in their prime, doing their best work, means that they have been overlooked in the histories of the time, unlike Kathleen's co-worker and friend, Millicent Garrett Fawcett. Thank you for your kind words!
I got Medieval Women recently. Had no idea that Woolf read her!
Yes, it’s good isn’t it? Francesca Wade wrote about it in Square Haunting.
Ah I didn’t get up to that chapter yet! It’s great
I am particularly impressed that Eileen Power did not attend any genteel colonial dinner parties when she was in India. England would have gotten out of India much sooner if women like Eileen Power had been in charge and she might even have reined in the East India Company early on before it went wild creating havoc all over India (although that was before she was born). She seems like she was a person who was extremely brilliant but never lacked heart unlike most men of that time. Heart should never only appear in one gender as though being considered a congenital defect if it ever appeared in a man even if ever so slightly. I think she would have been extremely disheartened with India's percentage of world trade at 24% before being taken as a British colony shrinking precipitously to 4% by the time England left in 1947.
Thank you Larry for your perceptive comment. The damage done to India and other colonies by the British Empire was terrible indeed. It's good to know that Eileen Power wanted no part of it.
Fascinating character - so sad that she died so young.
Thanks Caroline – yes, it's terribly sad. What an amazing woman she was.
Ann, do you know if there are any recordings from Eileen and Beryl's BBC broadcasts still available? I'd love to hear their voices. (Also, I'm planning on audiobook recordings of my novel Blackmail In Bloomsbury, in which Eileen has a minor role, and it would be useful for my narrator!)
Any luck with finding BBC recordings, Anna? I haven't found anything, alas, but this article on Rhoda Power at the BBC looks interesting.
https://journals.openedition.org/rfcb/7316
Thanks Ann, not yet but that article looks good.
Hi Anna, that's a very good question – I will check my sources (mainly LSE/Francesca Wade) and see if I can find out. My sense is that they were erased by the BBC, but you never know. Love the idea of your audiobook, and that Eileen has a walk-on part!
This is a marvellous presentation of Eileen Power and I too thoroughly recommend Square Haunting for anyone who’s interest has been sparked. It inspired me to visit Mecklenburg Square which combines well with a visit to the Foundling Museum next door!
Amazing life. Sad that she died at just 51 though.
Thank you for this latest eye-opener. A shiver went through me as I read the titles of Power’s books. MEDIEVAL PEOPLE was on the required reading list for a history course I took at the University of Toronto in 1970. Natalie Zemon Davis was one of the lecturers. I recall Power’s book as colourful and engaging but paid no attention to the byline.
Just spotted your lovely comment, Rona, and am impressed by your prodigious memory & range of reading... I guess the book's titles weren't the most appealing, but it sounds like Power (and Zemon Davis?) really did want to make history relevant to everyone.
Always interested to hear more of Eileen Power. She was friendly with Romer Wilson, the modernist writer I am researching, and mentions her in correspondence with Margery Spring-Rice (held in the Girton Archive). 'We did a theatre together in London and were greatly pleased with each other. At least I hope it was mutual,' Eileen wrote in April 1915 and in 1918 she reported that '[Roma] has been in her nicest mood & has made me a topping cloth dress'. Sadly, no description of the dress but interesting to see more evidence of her interest in clothes.
Belated thanks for this fascinating information, Val. I love it when the women I write about turn up in other people's letters! That's a lovely insight into Power's friendships and love of fashion. I might have some questions to ask you about Margery Spring-Rice too.