Jo Willett, Author at Devonia Road

Sarah Siddons: the first celebrity actress

Jo Willett — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 17:06:55 +0000

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.

Gainsborough’s famous portrait of the celebrity actress, Sarah Siddons

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Lady Mary’s Porcelain

Jo Willett — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:23:41 +0000

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.

21. Plate with undulating edges, D: 8 ¾ inch, M: blue fretted square; P: Stephen Hanscombe Collection

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Bafta Nomination

Jo Willett — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:56:49 +0000

Delighted that MANHUNT – THE NIGHTSTALKER has been nominated for a BAFTA Drama Series Award.

BAFTA-Drama-Series-Nominations Downlo
ad

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Oxford Literary Festival 2022

Jo Willett — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:31:29 +0000

This has to be the most beautiful venue ever for Jo’s Lady Mary talk.

The Bodleian Divinity School. Thanks OxLitFest.

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Illustrious Company

Jo Willett — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 08:56:47 +0000

Jo very impressed by her co-speakers at the upcoming Oxford Literary Festival.

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Upcoming Lady Mary talks

Jo Willett — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:45:00 +0000

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

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Oxford Literary Festival

Jo Willett — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 14:20:30 +0000

Jo will be talking about Lady Mary Wortley Montagu at the Oxford Literary Festival at 10am on Wednesday 30 March.

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Lady Mary at the Richmond Literature Festival

Jo Willett — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 10:57:45 +0000

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.

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Wellcome Collection

Jo Willett — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 08:59:19 +0000

Jo will be interviewed by Danny Rees from the Wellcome Collection about Lady Mary on Thursday April 29. Tickets available.

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Lady Mary and Lady Henrietta

Jo Willett — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 10:12:59 +0000

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.

Lady Mary
Lady Henreitta

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