Rebels and Romance is part History, part Biography, fully illustrated, revealing forgotten narratives of feminism and gender.
The Rise of Feminism, from 1066 to 1885, explores the early voice, creativity, and diversity of women in Britain. It details their activism and campaigns from 1819, their petition of suffrage in 1866, their manifesto of discrimination in 1869. Biographical details are provided for over 300 Pioneers.
Scandal of Gender tells of Arthur and Frederica, their lives brief tabloid headlines, then lost to moral censorship, the condemnation of memory.
Lord Arthur Clinton was reported to have died in the Boulton and Park cross-dressing scandal of 1870. The mysterious death of an ex-MP, a friend of Royalty, a lover of men, was most convenient. Press and public were sceptical.
Frederica de Fearneaux arrived in industrial Birmingham in 1873, allegedly Lord Arthur in disguise, his death faked, fortune confiscated. Apparently, Queen Victoria has commanded they live as a woman, until her displeasure has passed. Fred borrows large sums from eager tradesmen on generous terms, backed up by Royal letters and proclamations. Back in the real world, she's just out of jail, he’s exiled to New York.
This is the most astonishing true story [mostly] you have never heard.