Description

Dundurn Press, 1988. Soft cover, 321 pp. No other printings listed. In very good condition. Red and blue pictorial paper covers have light bumping to edges and light overall scuffing. Binding tight. Pages clean and unmarked. NOT Ex-Library. NO remainder marks. Black and white illustrations, endnotes, for further reading, index. [From back cover] They were one of the most interesting, most provocative couples of the late nineteenth century. She was Queen Victoria's most beautiful and talented daughter. He was a Scottisharistocrat. Their marriage, princess to commoner, was the talk of Britain. His appointment as Governor General brought them to Canada in 1878. There, Lorne's career flourished. His enthusiasm for the new world made him a popular figure while his artistic inclinations led to the founding of the National Gallery and the Royal Society. But for Princess Louise both her marriage and life in Ottawa proved difficult. Back home, she pursued her career as a sculptor, spending much time with other men, while Lorne's homosexual orientation led to his involvement in the Irish Crown Jewels scandal. Yet this marriage was held together by the resolve of Queen Victoria and by their common artisticinterests: Lore was a poet, artist, and impressario; Louise's talent eventually led to the famous statue of her mother still standing in Kensington Gardens.