+++ Next Live Online Lecture +++

 

Monday, 23 Mai 2022

Via Zoom at 8.00 pm CEST (Berlin)

 

'DEBO' - MITFORD, CAVENDISH, DEVONSHIRE DUCHESS, HOUSEWIFE 1920-2014

by Simon Seligman

 

Lecturer: Simon Seligman
The Arts Society

 

Deborah Devonshire, the youngest of the Mitford sisters and wife of the 11th Duke of Devonshire, was hefted by marriage to one of Europe’s greatest treasure houses, Chatsworth. In the second half of the 20th century, in partnership with her husband, she imbued it with a spirit, elegance and sense of welcome that transformed it from being the worn-out survivor of decades of taxation, war and social change into one of the best-loved, most-emulated and popular historic houses, gardens and estates in the country. With responsibility for Lismore Castle and Bolton Abbey as well, no wonder her passport stated her profession as ‘housewife’.

Along the way, she became a best-selling author and sell-out speaker, champion of the countryside, its skills, traditions, livelihoods and food, trustee and patron of numerous charities, businesses and good causes, and the most famous poultry keeper in the country. She met Hitler and Churchill, was a trusted confidant of the Prince of Wales, played her part as the steady heart of the Mitford sisters’ melodrama and was friends with a dazzling array of some of the brightest and most fascinating of her contemporaries, including President Kennedy, Evelyn Waugh, Oscar de la Renta, John Betjeman, Lucian Freud, Tom Stoppard, Neil MacGregor, Patrick Leigh Fermor and Alan Bennett.

She said herself that charm was the hardest quality to describe in another person; hers lived in her unique turn of phrase, her stoic Mitfordian perspective on life’s challenges, her curiosity about everyone she met, her stylish beauty, quick wit and delight in all that life offered her. Debo had a lasting impact not just on Chatsworth but on everything she touched and everyone she met; Simon was lucky enough to work for and with her over more than 20 years and in this lecture he pays tribute to an astonishing life.

 

Chatsworth House

The Arts Society

 

Lecturer: Simon Seligman

Simon studied art and architectural history at Warwick University, including a semester in Venice, nd is also a Graduate of the Attingham Summer school. From 1991 until 2010, he worked at Chatsworth, in a variety of roles, latterly as Head of Communications. He has lectured about Chatsworth, the Devonshire Collection and associated topics, throughout the UK and on several US tours (including the Metropolitan Museum and the National Gallery of Art). He gave numerous public presentations and interviews with the late Deborah, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. Alongside his lecturing, and working part time for John Ruskin’s charity the Guild of St George, he is a trustee of three arts festivals, and a Life Coach in private practice.

 

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We look forward very much to seeing you online.

Best wishes

 

 

Ursula Fortune and the members of the Board and Committee