NEW! The Mitford Sisters: Privilege, Eccentricity, and Scandal.

We are thrilled to introduce our new Art Stories Series, "The Mitford Sisters: Privilege, Eccentricity, and Scandal." For the next six weeks, we uncover the remarkable stories of this fascinating group of sisters.

Wit, idealism, and rivalry. The Mitford Sisters had arguably the sharpest voices of the early 20th century. Famous and unforgettable, the siblings—six sisters and one brother—were born between 1904 and 1920 into the British aristocracy. They were raised in a world of privilege, eccentricity, and isolation.

The BBC’s new six-part series, *Outrageous – The True Story of the Mitford Sisters,*has reignited interest in their dazzling lives and contradictions. Set in pre-WWII Britain, the series examines how these sisters’ navigated politics, fame, scandal, and love—while staying fiercely themselves, becoming passionate, creative, and outspoken women of their generation.

What’s interesting to me about the Mitford siblings is not just their individual stories, but also how wildly divergent their lives became. And yet, despite opposing political views, marriages to controversial figures, and war, they remained bound by blood, letters, and a dose of sisterly rivalry. The confidence in their views, however extreme, was unshakable, and their correspondence brims with wit, sarcasm, and stubborn affection

If you click on one of the links below to purchase, I may earn a small commission (literally pennies). It doesn’t cost you a thing, but it truly helps support the time, research, and storytelling that go into bringing these fascinating lives to light — through words, art, and a lot of late-night tea.

Thank you for supporting a digital creator! /EB

 

Mitford Sisters Essential Reading List

Nancy Mitford 

The Pursuit of Love – A romantic comedy inspired by her own eccentric family.

Love in a Cold Climate – Continuation of 'Pursuit', filled with sharp wit and aristocratic antics.

Wigs on the Green – A political satire mocking British fascism withdrawn from circulation until 2010, with an introduction by Charlotte Mosley, Nancy’s niece).

The Blessing – A cross-cultural comedy of manners.     

Don't Tell Alfred – Final installment in her Fanny trilogy.

Diana Mitford (Mosley)  

A Life of Contrasts – Candid memoir of her privileged and controversial life.

The Duchess of Windsor – Her biography of Wallis Simpson.

Jessica Mitford 

Hons and Rebels – Her brilliant memoir of rejecting aristocracy and embracing rebellion.

The American Way of Death – A muckraking exposé of the funeral industry.

Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford – A sweeping chronicle of her life through letters.

 

Deborah Mitford (Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire)  

Wait for Me! – Warm, funny memoir from the youngest sister turned duchess.

Chatsworth: The House– A love letter to her ancestral home.

Counting My Chickens – Essays and reflections on chickens, home life, and rural joys.