| Mrs Jordan's Profession: The story of a great actress and a future King
Claire Tomalin Penguin, 1995 ISBN 0140159231 Dora Jordan (1761-1816) was one of the great British comic actresses of her age, though she is probably better remembered as the mistress of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV. For about 20 years she and the Duke lived together in a state of domesticity, during which she bore him 10 children, in addition to three she had had by previous relationships. Throughout this time she pursued her career on the stage, mainly at Drury Lane but also touring with repertory companies throughout England. Unhappily, political considerations forced the Duke to seek a bride, and the relationship was terminated in unhappy circumstances which reflected badly on him. She died penniless in Paris in 1816. This book places most emphasis on her relationship with the Duke and her children, but also has much about her professional career and her dealings with the playwright and theatre proprietor Richard brinsley Sheridan. A final chapter brings the story up to date by revealing what became of the Fitzclarences, her children by the Duke. | ||
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Plot & Themes job/profession: Job/profession/poverty story Yes Royalty bio Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Female Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Misc setting - Fancy Mansion Century: - 18th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful Pictures/Illustrations? - More in color 6-10 How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |
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