Annual Newsletter of the Elizabeth Craven Society 2026

Events.

  

Benham Park, Elizabeth Craven's former home near Newbury in Berkshire, has been acquired by a company which is advertising it as a venue for weddings and special events.

https://benhampark.com/

Publications.

    A new edition of Craven's play The Georgian Princess has appeared, but unfortunately the details online, even the Amazon entry, do not seem to name the editor.

ISBN: 9791041996261
Page count: 32
Published: April 6, 2024
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Culturea
Language: English
Author: Elizabeth Craven

This is the publisher's blurb:- "A tale of intrigue and change unfolds as we delve into the world of "The Georgian Princess" by Elizabeth Craven. Set against the opulent backdrop of 18th-century Europe, this narrative transports readers to a time of political maneuvering and social upheaval. The story centers around a young princess navigating the treacherous waters of court life, where alliances are as fragile as the porcelain teacups from which the aristocracy sips. The era is marked by its rigid class structures and the ever-present shadow of revolution, providing a rich tapestry for this historical exploration. Themes of power, identity, and the quest for autonomy are intricately woven into the fabric of the narrative. The protagonist's journey is not just one of personal growth but also a reflection of the broader societal shifts occurring during this period. As she grapples with her role in a world that seeks to define her, the princess embodies the struggle between tradition and progress, a conflict that resonates with the reader on multiple levels. The novel's exploration of the human condition is both timeless and timely, offering insights into the complexities of change and the cost of power. Through the lens of this historical drama, we gain a deeper understanding of the forces that shape individuals and societies alike. The author's meticulous attention to detail and vivid characterizations bring the past to life, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a world that is at once distant and familiar. By unraveling the intricacies of courtly life and the personal dilemmas faced by its characters, "The Georgian Princess" offers a window into a bygone era while prompting reflection on contemporary issues. This book provides a journey through time, allowing us to perceive the enduring nature of human aspirations and the timeless quest for self-determination. Source: Publisher".

   Craven's Memoirs get an entry in Women's Court and Society Memoirs, Part II Vol 8, by Jennie Batchelor, Amy Culley and Katherine Turner (Taylor and Francis, 2024). It devotes most of its space to reproducing the opinions of  critics when it came out and speculating on whether Craven was tempted to write the book because of the phenomenal success of the Historical Memoirs of Sir Nathaniel Wraxall in 1815. We know she wasn't (she was urged to write them before that date by Charles Fitzpatrick Sharpe). Altogether this entry could have been written by somebody who has not actually read the book in question.

   Elizabeth Craven's eldest son, William, Earl of Craven, and his wife, the actress Louisa Brunton, have been featured in a Regency novel by American writer Ronan Beckman "A Season in Brighton". 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Season-Brighton-Chronicles-Miss-Searle/dp/B0FN7VPNDQ

   The staff of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography have done a very poor job of revising and updating its article on Elizabeth Craven. It still says very little about recent research, and gives minimal credit to the researchers, but lists as sources some irrelevant articles that are not of a biographical or bibliographical nature. 

   Elizabeth Craven is mentioned in Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters, Who Paved the Way for Jane Austen and the Brontës by Devoney Looser. She devotes a chapter to 1809, when Craven invited Anna Maria Porter, one of the Porter sisters who were both novelists, to stay as her house guest for most of the year. Her motive seems to have been to encourage her youngest son Keppel to marry her, but he had other ideas and did not oblige. Anna Maria was disappointed and Looser blames this on the Margravine (as she was then known) which does not seem either fair or reasonable. She had been a very generous hostess, taking Miss Porter into elevated social circles, and she could not coerce her son, who led a very permissive lifestyle, into matrimony. There are numerous errors in Looser's book.

Other news.

   Following Jill Kamp's discovery of a substantial number of unpublished Elizabeth Craven manuscripts in the FELS archive in Paris, I have transcribed and edited them.

They will shortly be published by Cambridge Scholars Press under the title Political Works, Plays and Poetry of Elizabeth Craven: The Island of Noibla, The Smyrna Twins, etc. It is a rather cumbersome title but is designed to help readers find it in online searches and subject catalogues. 

 The works include original and idiosyncratic prose works, several plays, some poems and over 40 letters. Two of the plays featured in an online playreading organized by Dr Lois Potter in January this year.