Mistress of the Elgin Marbles

Mistress of the Elgin Marbles: A Biography of Mary Nisbet, countess of Elgin by Susan Nagel. Published by William Morrow/HarperCollins, New York, NY, 2004. 1st Stated Edition1st Printing. Hardbound, Paper DJ. Size 8vo (up to 9-1/2'' tall). Condition: Fine in Good- DJ. 294 Pgs. ISBN 0060545542. LCCN 2003068568. Filled with romance, danger, and scandal, this book is the intriguing story of one of the most influential women of the Romantic era whose exploits enriched world culture immeasurably. The richest heiress in Scotland and the wife of accomplished diplomat Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, she traveled to Turkey when Elgin was appointed the Ambassador-Extraordinaire to the Ottoman Empire, a journey that would change history. Using details from primary sources & excerpts form the countess's own letters, the author draws a vivid portrait of this woman who helped bring the smallpox vaccine to the Middle East, financed the removal and safe passage to England of classical marbles from the Parthenon, and struck a deal with Napoleon that no politician could have accomplished. Accomplishments overshadowed by her affair with her husband's best friend & the most lurid and salacious divorce trial in London's history. Illustrated with photographs. Description text copyright 2011 BooksForComfort. Item ID 25731.