Ada Leverson

Born in London in 1862 as Ada Esther Beddington, she became known as Ada Leverson after marrying Ernest Leverson. She wrote novels, short pieces, and journalism, and built a reputation for polished comedy and quick, memorable dialogue.

She is often remembered for her close friendship with Oscar Wilde, who reportedly nicknamed her “The Sphinx.” But she was much more than a literary footnote: her own books offered an amused, observant view of late Victorian and Edwardian manners, especially the games of marriage, money, and social ambition.

Leverson’s best-known work includes the Little Ottleys trilogy, admired for its wit and elegant satire. She died in 1933, and her writing still appeals to readers who enjoy intelligent comedy, stylish conversation, and novels that gently expose the absurdities of fashionable life.