Perdita: The Life of Mary Robinson

Description

Sex, fame and scandal in the theatrical, literary and social circles of late-eighteenth century England. One of the most flamboyant women of the late-eighteenth century, Mary Robinson's life was marked by reversals of fortune. After being raised by a middle-class father, Mary was married, at age fourteen, to Thomas Robinson. His dissipated lifestyle landed the couple and their baby in debtors' prison, where Mary wrote her first book of poetry and met lifelong friend Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. On her release, Mary quickly became one of the most popular actresses of the day, famously playing Perdita in The Winter's Tale for a rapt audience that included the Prince of Wales, who fell madly in love with her. She later used his copious love letters for blackmail. This authoritative and engaging book presents a fascinating portrait of a woman who was variously darling of the London stage, a poet whose work was admired by Coleridge and a mistress to the most powerful men in England, and yet whose fortunes were nevertheless precarious, always on the brink of being squandered through recklessness, excess and passion.

Paula Byrne is the author of Jane Austen and the Theatre.

Praise for Jane Austen and the Theatre: 'This scholarly, perceptive book leaves you wanting more from the same author.' Loraine Fletcher, Independent 'The definitive and pioneering work on the subject ... Byrne's perspective as a theatre historian exposes much that is original ... Jane Austen and the Theatre has much to say to the theatre historian about an extraordinary member of the late-eighteenth century audience, and a great deal more to teach the literary critic about that theatregoer's own art.' Michael Caines, TLS 'Fascinating and elegant ... invaluable as an academic study of the way that Austen, like Henry James after her, made brilliant use of theatrical techniques.' Miranda Seymour, Spectator