Elizabeth Fry: Prison Reformer The woman who changed the face of Prison
Spencer Perceval: One of Britain's forgotten Prime-Ministers Although Jane Austen does not mention it in her published letters, indeed she rarely mentions politics or current events...she lived through one of the most shocking events in the history of the House of Commons when, in 1812, the Prime Minister was...
Account of Joseph Paisley: 'The Celebrated Gretna-Green Parson' "MY DEAR HARRIET,
You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am missed.
I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simple...
Princess Caraboo from the Island of Javasu She turned up in Gloucestershire in 1817, claiming to be Princess Caraboo from the island of Javasu - saying she had been kidnapped by pirates before escaping and making her way to England.
The fact that Mary Willcocks' tale was completely inv...
Gentleman John Jackson and Daniel Mendoza: Heavy Hitters of Regency Boxing John Jackson
"Gentleman" John Jackson (28 September 1769 – 7 October 1845) was a celebrated pugilist of the late 18th century.
He won the title Champion of England in a fight on 15 April 1795 in which he beat Daniel Mendoza. It was one of the s...
The Patronesses of Almack's: The Arbiters of London Respectibility Almack's Assembly Rooms was governed by a select committee of the most influential and exclusive ladies of the ton, known as the Lady Patronesses of Almacks. These "fair arbiters" created a temple of exclusivism for the balls held on Wednesday night...
Louis XVI: Last King of France Louis XVI, born Louis-Auguste de France (23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793) ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1774 until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792. Suspended and arrested during the Insurrection of 10 August 179...
Marie Antoinette: Last Queen of France Born at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Maria Antonia was the daughter of Francis Stephen and Empress Maria Theresa; she was described as "a small, but completely healthy Archduchess." Known at court as "Madame Antoine", a French variation of her nam...
Joséphine: First Empress of France Joséphine de Beauharnais (nee Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie June 23, 1763 – May 29, 1814) was the first wife of Napoléon Bonaparte and thus the first Empress of the French.
Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie was born in Les...
George III: King of Great Britain and Ireland I had just left off writing and put on my things for walking to Alton, when Anna and her friend Harriot called in their way thither, so we went together. Their business was to provide mourning against the King's death, and my mother has had a bomb...
William Wilberforce William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and abolitionist who led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade.The recent film, Amazing Grace, highlights his career as a parliamentarian, ...
Princess Frederica Charlotte, Duchess of York Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia was born in Charlottenburg, on 7 May 1767. She was the only daughter of Frederick William II of Prussia and his first wife and double first cousin Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
On 29 September 17...
Warren Hastings: First Governor of India Lady Robert is delighted with P. and P., and really was so, as I understand, before she knew who wrote it, for, of course, she knows now. He told her with as much satisfaction as if it were my wish. He did not tell me this, but he told Fanny. And M...
James Stanier Clarke: Librarian to the Prince of Wales
"I am quite honoured by your thinking me capable of drawing such a clergyman as you gave the sketch of... But I assure you I am not. The comic part of the character I might be equal to, but not the good, the enthusiastic, the literary. Such a man's c...
Caroline of Brunswick: Injured Queen of England I Suppose all the World is sitting in Judgement upon the Princess of Wales's Letter. Poor woman, I shall support her as long as I can, because she is a Woman, & because I hate her Husband -- but I can hardly forgive her for calling herself ``at...
D'Arcy Wentworth: Heroic Inspiration? Jane Austen's Aunt was once at risk of transportation to Botany Bay for shoplifting. It is piquant then, that Austen named two of her major male characters Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Captain Wentworth (Persuasion), because a leading ...
Napoleon I of France "The mightiest breath of life which ever animated human clay. "
Chateaubriand
Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution, and the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic...
The Prince of Wales' two Charlottes Son, Brother, Husband, Lover, Father-- the Prince of Wales held many titles throughout his life in regards to the women around him. A devoted brother of six sisters, he was especially fond of his mother, Queen Charlotte, who remained his constant c...
Richard "Beau" Nash: The Original Beau That the elder ladies and children be contented with a second bench at the ball, as being past or not come to perfection.
--Rule VIII of Nash’s Rules by General Consent Determined
Richard ‘Beau’ Nash was born in 1674 in Swansea, Wale...
The Prince of Wales: The Man who gave the Regency its Name "I suppose all the World is sitting in Judgement upon the Princess of Wales's Letter. Poor woman, I shall support her as long as I can, because she is a Woman, & because I hate her Husband -- but I can hardly forgive her for calling herself ``a...
Elizabeth Montague: Queen of the Bluestockings Elizabeth Robinson was born very wealthy and well-connected. She grew up in Coveney, Cambridgeshire, under supervision of her grandparents, and was frequent childhood visitor to Cambridge where her grandfather was Librarian of Cambridge University. As...
Beau Brummell: Nothing but a Name Mysteriously Sparkling The name Beau Brummell is synonymous with Regency England, but what do you know about him? Researching this article I found that people associate him with silks, satins, and snuff, while one thought he was a fictional detective. It seemed the Fren...
James Brydges: Cassanda Austen's Princely Uncle James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos, MP, PC (6 January 1673 – 9 August 1744) was the first of fourteen children by Sir James Brydges, 3rd Baronet of Wilton Castle, Sheriff of Herefordshire, 8th Baron Chandos; and Elizabeth Barnard. Three days after...
Samuel Fancourt: Founder of the First Circulating Library Charles Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait, and at first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then, she had received so very h...
Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany The "Grand" Old Duke of York
The Rev. Sidney Smith The inspiration behind Henry Tilney?
