A Belle of the Fifties Memoirs of Mrs. Clay of Alabama, covering social and political life in Washington and the South, 1853-1866. Put into narrative form by Ada Sterling

"A Belle of the Fifties" by Virginia Clay-Clopton is a memoir that covers social and political life in Washington and the Southern United States from the mid-19th century to the end of the Civil War. The narrative is based on the experiences of Mrs. Clay, who offers a unique female perspective on the times, showcasing her vibrant life at the intersection of family, society, and historical events. This book is likely to appeal to readers interested in personal histories that provide insights into the cultural and political climate of America during a tumultuous time in its history. The beginning of "A Belle of the Fifties" introduces readers to Virginia Clay-Clopton’s early life, highlighting her childhood in North Carolina and Alabama. The narrative captures her formative years, detailing significant family histories, vivid plantation scenes, and remarkable characters from her youth, such as her early guardians and the influential figures in her life. As she recounts her schooling and social evolutions, she hints at the cultural richness of her upbringing while laying the foundation for her eventual marriage to Clement C. Clay, Jr., thus framing her journey within the broader social context of antebellum American society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Virginia Clay-Clopton (1825–1915) was a political hostess and activist in Alabama and Washington, D.C. She was also known as Virginia Tunstall, Virginia Clay, and Mrs. Clement Claiborne Clay. She took on different responsibilities after the Civil War. As the wife of US Senator Clement Claiborne Clay from Alabama, she was part of a group of young southerners who boarded together in the capital in particular hotels. In the immediate postwar period, she worked to gain her husband's freedom from imprisonment at Fort Monroe, where Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederacy, was also held.