I am available to speak for your historical organization, book club, or cultural group. Each of my entertaining and informative talks lasts about one hour and is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. I will be happy to discuss the honorarium. Topics include:
"THE PARIS PHOTO" A discussion of my recent novel.
“Lovely Transatlantic Invaders”: American Women in Victorian London. The phrase is from Edith Wharton’s novel The Buccaneers, describing the many young American women who came to the UK between 1870 and WWI and made places for themselves in English life. Many were wealthy, marrying into titled families – but others were self-supporting. My talk provides an overview of this group of determined, talented, and independent women who contributed so much to the life of their adopted country. They knew everyone in London, from HM Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales to Sir Edward Elgar, Gilbert & Sullivan, George Bernard Shaw, the painters Whistler and Sargent, and many others. Some stories are romantic, some tragic, but all are compelling.
Jennie Jerome Churchill: An Extraordinary Woman. The rich, profligate father with a penchant for opera divas. The socially aspirant mother who would not let a New York rebuff stand in her way. The whirl of Parisian soirees and London teas. The gorgeous young woman with smoldering eyes and snake tattoo. The second husband the same age as her son. And this son, who would grow up to be Prime Minister and lead Britain to victory through its worst hours. Jennie Jerome Churchill’s story has all the elements of a blockbuster film or a romance novel. But she was so much more than a society leader and the mother of a future Prime Minister. She was active in political life, founded a literary journal, and wrote for the stage. Beneath her strikingly beautiful physical appearance was a strong vein of American grit; hers is a story of courage, adventure, and accomplishment. The talk is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.
American Women on the Victorian Stage. Despite the successes of a number of noted stage figures (Sarah Siddons, Charlotte Cushman, Ellen Terry), the prevailing popular opinion in 19th century England and America was that an actress was little more than a woman of the streets. There was much prejudice towards the theatre and the acting profession; even if people enjoyed drama, they doubted the virtue of its practitioners. Mary Anderson changed all that. When she made her stage debut, she was 17, demure, and always accompanied by her mother. Audience on both sides of the Atlantic fell in love with her and her image appeared in countless magazines, photo portraits, and advertisements. She was America’s first transatlantic celebrity and transformed the way many people felt about the theatre. My accompanying PowerPoint illustrates her many accomplishments and famed profile.
The “Uncrowned Queen of Americans in London” -- This is the fascinating story of Mary Frances Ronalds, a socialite from Boston who moved to Paris (where she was rescued from drowning by Napoleon III) and then London, where she became a favorite of Queen Victoria and the loyal companion of Sir Arthur Sullivan. She was part of a vibrant and active American presence in the city.
"THE PARIS PHOTO" A discussion of my recent novel.
“Lovely Transatlantic Invaders”: American Women in Victorian London. The phrase is from Edith Wharton’s novel The Buccaneers, describing the many young American women who came to the UK between 1870 and WWI and made places for themselves in English life. Many were wealthy, marrying into titled families – but others were self-supporting. My talk provides an overview of this group of determined, talented, and independent women who contributed so much to the life of their adopted country. They knew everyone in London, from HM Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales to Sir Edward Elgar, Gilbert & Sullivan, George Bernard Shaw, the painters Whistler and Sargent, and many others. Some stories are romantic, some tragic, but all are compelling.
Jennie Jerome Churchill: An Extraordinary Woman. The rich, profligate father with a penchant for opera divas. The socially aspirant mother who would not let a New York rebuff stand in her way. The whirl of Parisian soirees and London teas. The gorgeous young woman with smoldering eyes and snake tattoo. The second husband the same age as her son. And this son, who would grow up to be Prime Minister and lead Britain to victory through its worst hours. Jennie Jerome Churchill’s story has all the elements of a blockbuster film or a romance novel. But she was so much more than a society leader and the mother of a future Prime Minister. She was active in political life, founded a literary journal, and wrote for the stage. Beneath her strikingly beautiful physical appearance was a strong vein of American grit; hers is a story of courage, adventure, and accomplishment. The talk is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.
American Women on the Victorian Stage. Despite the successes of a number of noted stage figures (Sarah Siddons, Charlotte Cushman, Ellen Terry), the prevailing popular opinion in 19th century England and America was that an actress was little more than a woman of the streets. There was much prejudice towards the theatre and the acting profession; even if people enjoyed drama, they doubted the virtue of its practitioners. Mary Anderson changed all that. When she made her stage debut, she was 17, demure, and always accompanied by her mother. Audience on both sides of the Atlantic fell in love with her and her image appeared in countless magazines, photo portraits, and advertisements. She was America’s first transatlantic celebrity and transformed the way many people felt about the theatre. My accompanying PowerPoint illustrates her many accomplishments and famed profile.
The “Uncrowned Queen of Americans in London” -- This is the fascinating story of Mary Frances Ronalds, a socialite from Boston who moved to Paris (where she was rescued from drowning by Napoleon III) and then London, where she became a favorite of Queen Victoria and the loyal companion of Sir Arthur Sullivan. She was part of a vibrant and active American presence in the city.