Pleased to announce my biography of the actress Sarah Siddons is published 30 May 2024.
Sarah had shot to fame relatively recently when Gainsborough painted her as a society beauty rather than a working performer.
He complained about the length of her nose.
But she knew that his portrait would only increase her status as the First Celebrity Actress.
It’s been fun to discover more about Lady Mary Wortley Montagu porcelain – something I didn’t know about until after my Lady Mary biography was published.
Delighted that MANHUNT – THE NIGHTSTALKER has been nominated for a BAFTA Drama Series Award.
This has to be the most beautiful venue ever for Jo’s Lady Mary talk.
The Bodleian Divinity School. Thanks OxLitFest.
Jo very impressed by her co-speakers at the upcoming Oxford Literary Festival.
Over the next few months Jo’s going to be talking at the following events about her book, The Pioneering Life of Mary Wortley Montagu:
The Anglo-Turkish Society – tbc
The Oxford Literary Festival Wednesday 30 March
Tangerine Book Club Monday 4 April (invitation only)
Enstone History Society Wednesday 11 May
Hundred of Yetminster History Society Wednesday 12 October
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu – vaccine pioneer
Jo will be talking about Lady Mary Wortley Montagu at the Oxford Literary Festival at 10am on Wednesday 30 March.
Jo is giving her next talk about Lady Mary Wortley Montagu at the 2021 Richmond Literature Festival on November 13, at 2:30pm at the Old Town Hall. It’s a particularly appropriate event and place, as Lady Mary’s pioneering inoculation of her daughter took place in Twickenham. Jo will be in conversation with the biographer and historian Anne Sebba. Here’s the link to buy a ticket.
Jo will be interviewed by Danny Rees from the Wellcome Collection about Lady Mary on Thursday April 29. Tickets available.
Delighted to be giving an online talk about the lifelong friendship between Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles at Welbeck Abbey at midday on Friday 18 June.
Two memorable women.
