author
Lady Dorothy Nevill
1826–1913
A vivid figure in Victorian society, she brought together politics, gardening, art, and gossip in a way few people could. Her memoirs and notebooks open a lively window onto the people and ideas of her time.
1 Audiobook
Leaves from the Note-Books of Lady Dorothy Nevill
by Lady Dorothy Nevill
About the author
Born Dorothy Fanny Walpole in London on April 1, 1826, she became Lady Dorothy Nevill after marrying Reginald Henry Nevill in 1847. She was known as an English writer, society hostess, horticulturist, and plant collector, and she moved easily among artists, writers, and politicians.
Her London home and garden became famous for their mix of conversation, curiosity, and cultivated taste. She had a lasting interest in plants and garden design, collected art, and was also active in Conservative circles, including as a founding member of the Primrose League.
She later wrote books drawn from memory and observation, including lively recollections of Victorian public and private life. Those works are still valued for their sharp eye, wit, and the close-up view they give of a remarkable social world.