Hazel: A Life of Lady Lavery, 1880 - 1935

by Sinead McCoole

Until now Lady Lavery has been remembered for the numerous portraits by her husband, the painter John Lavery, celebrated in 'The Municipal Gallery Re-visited' by W.B. Yeats, This first biography of Hazel tells the story the pictures ow a girl from boomtown Chicago became one of the most stylish society hostesses in London, and turned her husband's studio into a hub of Anglo-Irish diplomacy, from the 1921 Treaty negotiations through the tumultuous early years of the Irish Free State. Using hitherto-unpublished letters and scrapbooks assembled by Hazel herself, Sinead McCoole gives an intimate account of Hazel's artistic and political preoccupations, and of her extraordinary effect upon the male politicians of Ireland and Britain, for whom she and her salon often represented the only common ground. Romance and politics converged in her relationships with two hard men of nationalist Ireland who each met violent Michael Collins, whose view on the Treaty were influenced by Hazel, and Kevin O'Higgins, whose passionate letters to Hazel reveal the inner man beneath the political carapace. Hazel also forged durable social and political alliances with the pillars of British government - Winston Churchill, Ramsay MacDonald and Lord Londonderry among other - while relishing her friendships with leading writers and artists of the day such as George Bernard Shaw, J.M. Barrie, Lennox Robinson and Evelyn Waugh. This lavishly illustrated, richly documented life of Lady Lavery relates how one beautiful American woman reinvented herself as 'a simple Irish girl' came to personify Eirr on Ireland's banknotes, 'living and dying ... as though some ballad-singer had sung it all'.

Genres: Biography, Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Claire O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Whilst Hazel Lavery did indeed lead an interest life, and mix with many important people, this book failed to bring it all to life and grab my attention.

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and finally decided to read it through, having only read the bits pertaining to Michael Collins for research purposes. The thorough research and fine presentation is evident on every page though I did feel it lacked a certain spark but this did not deter my interest. I am not sure if I liked Lady Lavery or not but I do have a newfound appreciation for what she did or tried to do for Ireland -particularly in relation to her husband's Irish collection being donated to an Irish gallery. Such a shame that she revisited her misery, caused by her mother's hatred of Lavery, upon her daughter and the man she wanted to marry. I found myself admiring Alice for taking matters into her own hand and, actually, would have liked to know a lot more about her too. All in all, an interesting read about a complicated woman as well as providing an good insight into Irish and British politics.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her picture was once on the Irish pound. She was painted hundreds of times by her adoring husband, a successful portrait painter. She helped to bring Winston Churchill and Michael Collins together to discuss the Irish Free State. These are her claims to fame. She also doesn't seem like a very pleasant person. She didn't get along well with other women but very well with men, especially when she was a young beauty. Her husband tolerated her crushes, her flirtatious ways and biting wit. She was born in America but much preferred Ireland. She died a painful death, a different one from her two martyred heroes, Collins and Kevin O'Higgins. This biography gives her a fair hearing and in the process tells a lot about an important period of Irish history.

[Clare Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting woman, born in America, became an artist, married John Lavery and was at the centre of the social activities during the negotiation for Home Rule for Ireland in 1920s. Debatable as to whether she was in a relationship with Michael Collins and Kevin O'Higgins. A fascinating character.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-researched and engaging book on a fascinating figure in Ireland's history. Took off a star for typos in the text but it is a very enjoyable and useful resource for those interested in Irish history or art, and just a generally well-written biography.

[elise barber-wixtrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

not at all a critical look. gave me bad vibes (not a professional opinion). weirdly dismissive of kitty kiernan. didn't like it very much