Mrs. Mary Robinson, Written by Herself, With the lives of the Duchesses of Gordon and Devonshire

"Mrs. Mary Robinson, Written by Herself" by Robinson, Thomson, and Wharton is an autobiographical account written during the late 18th century. The book delves into the life of Mary Robinson, a stunning and talented woman who navigates the treacherous waters of high society, love, and betrayal. It offers insights into her relationships, particularly with the Prince of Wales and her tumultuous marriage to Mr. Robinson, highlighting the societal challenges faced by women during this era. The opening of the autobiography sets the stage for Mary Robinson's life story, detailing her dramatic personal history, including her upbringing in Bristol and the tumultuous circumstances of her marriage. The narrative introduces her family background, her early passions for music and poetry, and her initial timid foray into the world of performance. It captures the emotional weight of her relationships, particularly her husband’s eventual neglect and infidelity, an ominous foreshadowing of the struggles she will face. The vivid descriptions of significant figures in her life—such as her father’s adventurous spirit, her mother’s devotion, and the societal roles of men around her—paint a rich picture of the 18th-century social landscape ripe with both allure and peril. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Robinson was an English actress, poet, dramatist, novelist, and celebrity figure. She lived in England, in the cities of Bristol and London; she also lived in France and Germany for a time. She enjoyed poetry from the age of seven and started working, first as a teacher and then as actress, from the age of 14. She wrote many plays, poems and novels. She was a celebrity, gossiped about in newspapers, famous for her acting and writing. During her lifetime she was known as "the English Sappho". She earned her nickname "Perdita" for her role as Perdita in 1779. She was the first public mistress of King George IV while he was still Prince of Wales.