Troublemaker: The fierce, unruly life of Jessica Mitford
7 days ago
- #Mitford Sisters
- #Political Activism
- #British Aristocracy
- Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, died in 2014, marking the end of an era but not the last of the Mitford sisters.
- The Mitford sisters—Nancy, Unity, Diana, Debo, Jessica (Decca), and Pamela—were known for their extreme personalities and political affiliations, ranging from fascism to communism.
- Jessica Mitford, known as Decca, rebelled against her aristocratic upbringing, becoming a communist and emigrating to the U.S., where she became a prominent activist and author.
- Decca's memoir, 'Hons and Rebels,' was a bestseller but disliked by her sisters. Her life in America included activism, journalism, and teaching, often under FBI surveillance due to her communist ties.
- The Mitford sisters' lives were marked by tragedy, including the deaths of siblings and spouses, political scandals, and family estrangements, yet they remained a subject of public fascination.
- Decca's later years included teaching at Yale, reconciling with her family, and continuing her activism until her death in 1996.