The duchess
By: Amanda Foreman
Edition: Random House Trade pbk. ed.
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 456
ISBN-13: 9780812979695
Subjects: Politics and government; Social life and customs; Women politicians; Marriage; Biography; Manners and customs; Nobility; History
Work titles: Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
Description: Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England's richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana's public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.--From publisher description.
Notes: "Originally published as Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire."

Includes bibliographical references and index.