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Ann Walker: The Life and Death of Gentleman Jack's Wife
Description
Lesbian. Lover. Lunatic.
These are just some of the words usually used to describe Ann Walker, the oft overlooked wife of Anne Lister, better known by some as Gentleman Jack. Ann was one half of England’s first same-sex marriage and yet the rainbow plaque that marks their historic union on the wall of the Holy Trinity Church, York, features Ann’s name in a font only half the size of her wife’s. Her story has been long forgotten.
Born into wealth and privilege Ann was one of the most eligible heiresses in 19th century Yorkshire and the question on everyone’s lips in 1830’s Halifax was why a respectable young heiress, with property, fortune and connection risked everything, even her freedom, to become entangled with the notorious Gentleman Jack?
The answer to this question reveals a woman of immense courage, faith, and determination, but her voice has remained silent….until now. Within the depths of Ann’s diary - discovered by Diane Halford in 2020 - the answers to some of the above questions can be found, as can insight into Ann as an independent woman.
The life of Ann is worthy of its own narrative and it is time for Ann to step out of the shadow of Gentleman Jack and tell her own story.
Lesbian. Lover. Lunatic.
These are just some of the words usually used to describe Ann Walker, the oft overlooked wife of Anne Lister, better known by some as Gentleman Jack. Ann was one half of England’s first same-sex marriage and yet the rainbow plaque that marks their historic union on the wall of the Holy Trinity Church, York, features Ann’s name in a font only half the size of her wife’s. Her story has been long forgotten.
Born into wealth and privilege Ann was one of the most eligible heiresses in 19th century Yorkshire and the question on everyone’s lips in 1830’s Halifax was why a respectable young heiress, with property, fortune and connection risked everything, even her freedom, to become entangled with the notorious Gentleman Jack?
The answer to this question reveals a woman of immense courage, faith, and determination, but her voice has remained silent….until now. Within the depths of Ann’s diary - discovered by Diane Halford in 2020 - the answers to some of the above questions can be found, as can insight into Ann as an independent woman.
The life of Ann is worthy of its own narrative and it is time for Ann to step out of the shadow of Gentleman Jack and tell her own story.
Hardcover
First published January 30, 2023
8 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 23, 2022
As a huge Gentleman Jack fan I was SO excited to get an ARC of this book and it didn’t disappoint!
Ms Batley writes brilliantly and should be thought of as an expert on Ms Walker’s life. I can’t believe that such an awesome woman hasn’t been written on before now.
The details Ms Batley has uncovered are fascinating. Ann in silks would surely have been a sight to behold!
I hope Ms Batley will write on Anne Lister next!!
Ms Batley writes brilliantly and should be thought of as an expert on Ms Walker’s life. I can’t believe that such an awesome woman hasn’t been written on before now.
The details Ms Batley has uncovered are fascinating. Ann in silks would surely have been a sight to behold!
I hope Ms Batley will write on Anne Lister next!!
January 3, 2023
Like most people i am well aware of Gentleman Jack from both the film and the television series so i already had a preconception of Ann Walker. To an extent they are accurate portrayals however this book takes it much much further and Walker is removed from the shadow of Lister. She is now seen as a much stronger character who sadly suffered with her mental health but between these episodes she is active, involved in life and society and business. She had far more involvement with Listers' business than is portrayed in the show. Also what is interesting to note and not really touched upon are all the times it was Lister who was ill and Walker had to look after her.
The book itself is well written and researched and a fascinating read of this trailblazing couple.
**I was given an arc of this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review**
The book itself is well written and researched and a fascinating read of this trailblazing couple.
**I was given an arc of this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review**
August 11, 2023
I've never watched the TV series Gentleman Jack, but I am certainly aware of how popular it was.
That being said, I was privileged to read snippets of Ann Walker whilst it was being written, and I grew interested in Ann’s story. I met Rebecca when we had both recently signed contracts for our first books. I had no idea who Ann Walker was, but the more I talked with Rebecca, the more I became intrigued about Ann’s story.
Although far out of my usual genre, this was such a captivating and often sad read.
Using her own writings and the diary of Anne Lister, Rebecca has pieced together Ann's adult life, along with its good and bad times.
I found Ann's travelling to be really interesting. The places she visited and her experiences are inspiring.
From reading this, it becomes apparent what Ann enjoyed, particularly her sketching and painting. I had to have a little look at her doodles and drawings, which brought Ann such enjoyment.
Ann clearly faced many obstacles being a wealthy woman who married Anne Lister and who was declared insane. I found her story to be very sad indeed. If she lived today, I couldn't help but think her life would be very different.
I'd like to thank Rebecca for bringing Ann to my attention and letting me read those snippets whilst you were writing, which led me to want to read the whole book.
Anyone who usually reads my posts will know this is really out of my genre by a few hundred years, but it was actually refreshing. Don't worry, I am now back to the Tudors and Plantagenets.
Rebecca is a great writer and tells a story without being boring, so I am looking forward to her next book. The next one is based on another Ann(e), this time one that is back in my preferred time era!
That being said, I was privileged to read snippets of Ann Walker whilst it was being written, and I grew interested in Ann’s story. I met Rebecca when we had both recently signed contracts for our first books. I had no idea who Ann Walker was, but the more I talked with Rebecca, the more I became intrigued about Ann’s story.
Although far out of my usual genre, this was such a captivating and often sad read.
Using her own writings and the diary of Anne Lister, Rebecca has pieced together Ann's adult life, along with its good and bad times.
I found Ann's travelling to be really interesting. The places she visited and her experiences are inspiring.
From reading this, it becomes apparent what Ann enjoyed, particularly her sketching and painting. I had to have a little look at her doodles and drawings, which brought Ann such enjoyment.
Ann clearly faced many obstacles being a wealthy woman who married Anne Lister and who was declared insane. I found her story to be very sad indeed. If she lived today, I couldn't help but think her life would be very different.
I'd like to thank Rebecca for bringing Ann to my attention and letting me read those snippets whilst you were writing, which led me to want to read the whole book.
Anyone who usually reads my posts will know this is really out of my genre by a few hundred years, but it was actually refreshing. Don't worry, I am now back to the Tudors and Plantagenets.
Rebecca is a great writer and tells a story without being boring, so I am looking forward to her next book. The next one is based on another Ann(e), this time one that is back in my preferred time era!
December 1, 2022
I was ever so sad about the cancellation of BBC’s Gentleman Jack – it’s the lesbian, thinking person Downton Abbey, in case you’re not familiar. And now, having read this biography of Jack’s wife, I’m thinking maybe they did end it at just the right time. It would have been terribly depressing going forward.
Why so?
Well, because it’s kind of a sad story. It’s a love story, for sure, and a passionate one at that, but ultimately, not a very happy one.
But then again, the main premise of this biography is that a woman mustn’t be defined by the actions of their spouse (however famous or infamous) alone. To that end, the author has done some admirably meticulous research and created this excellent portrait of a woman of her time. Fleshing out character traits and personality from glimpses, references, empirical evidence of the time and Ann’s own (albeit scant comparing to her wife) diaries, Batley brings Ann Walker’s life to…well, life. Exactly as intended.
Was it a good life? Well, not especially, but then again, Ann Walker did not live at a time that was particularly kind to women, especially women who dared to row against the current as it were.
Ann was very much a woman of her time in great many respects, a charitable wealthy religious woman deeply entangled within the web of her family. Not regarded as particularly strong mentally or physically, she had always been treated as such by people around her.
In fact, her life is punctuated by episodes of what now would have been described as anxiety, depression, etc. and back then was a locked-up-able offense.
And then, there was Jack. Who swept into her life comet-like, and changed it forever. All of Ann’s reluctance, all of Ann’s upbringing and ides couldn’t make her stay away.
The two of them begun a scandalous affair, disapproved by virtually all around them, and despite it all, ended up being married (after a fashion). And then, like so many married couples they proceeded to make each other desperately unhappy.
A tragic fate, really, for such an awesome historical first as a first lesbian marriage.
They were together for six years during which Jack cheated, lied, and went through Ann’s money like water.
And yet, Batley does a great valiant effort of teasing out the softer moments, the genuine signs of love and affection between the two.
The relationship didn’t last; death did them apart six years in. Ann ended up committed by her family and then quietly retired to fade away. Neither Jack nor his wife had lived long, and yet, Jack’s words have preserved them both, ensconced in diary pages as if in amber. And isn’t that awesome to contemplate?
Now Batley restores some of the imbalance of the relationship by presenting the other side, for there are always two. And does a great job of it. A very good biography and a very good read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Why so?
Well, because it’s kind of a sad story. It’s a love story, for sure, and a passionate one at that, but ultimately, not a very happy one.
But then again, the main premise of this biography is that a woman mustn’t be defined by the actions of their spouse (however famous or infamous) alone. To that end, the author has done some admirably meticulous research and created this excellent portrait of a woman of her time. Fleshing out character traits and personality from glimpses, references, empirical evidence of the time and Ann’s own (albeit scant comparing to her wife) diaries, Batley brings Ann Walker’s life to…well, life. Exactly as intended.
Was it a good life? Well, not especially, but then again, Ann Walker did not live at a time that was particularly kind to women, especially women who dared to row against the current as it were.
Ann was very much a woman of her time in great many respects, a charitable wealthy religious woman deeply entangled within the web of her family. Not regarded as particularly strong mentally or physically, she had always been treated as such by people around her.
In fact, her life is punctuated by episodes of what now would have been described as anxiety, depression, etc. and back then was a locked-up-able offense.
And then, there was Jack. Who swept into her life comet-like, and changed it forever. All of Ann’s reluctance, all of Ann’s upbringing and ides couldn’t make her stay away.
The two of them begun a scandalous affair, disapproved by virtually all around them, and despite it all, ended up being married (after a fashion). And then, like so many married couples they proceeded to make each other desperately unhappy.
A tragic fate, really, for such an awesome historical first as a first lesbian marriage.
They were together for six years during which Jack cheated, lied, and went through Ann’s money like water.
And yet, Batley does a great valiant effort of teasing out the softer moments, the genuine signs of love and affection between the two.
The relationship didn’t last; death did them apart six years in. Ann ended up committed by her family and then quietly retired to fade away. Neither Jack nor his wife had lived long, and yet, Jack’s words have preserved them both, ensconced in diary pages as if in amber. And isn’t that awesome to contemplate?
Now Batley restores some of the imbalance of the relationship by presenting the other side, for there are always two. And does a great job of it. A very good biography and a very good read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
February 3, 2023
It was an interesting and informative read. I watched Gentleman Jack and was happy to learn about the historical Ann Walker.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 2, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is an in-depth, well-researched history of Ann Walker. It covers all elements of her life. The author tries to give a historical setting for the information where she can. Where there is no direct information, the author tries to give their best guess on what was happening.
I found this to be a very thorough book. The author includes plenty of sources to back up her claims.
This book is an in-depth, well-researched history of Ann Walker. It covers all elements of her life. The author tries to give a historical setting for the information where she can. Where there is no direct information, the author tries to give their best guess on what was happening.
I found this to be a very thorough book. The author includes plenty of sources to back up her claims.
April 19, 2023
This read was a slow burn and I’m sorry to say the writing was terrible - misspellings, double words, etc… However, it was quiet interesting to be swept back in time and live vicariously through Ann Walker’s and Anne Lister’s lives. I appreciate the shared findings of Ann Walker’s diaries and reading her life told through own writings, rather than through the perception of Anne Lister. I didn’t know much about “Gentleman Jack” until this book. Now I’m eager to learn more.
January 29, 2024
I JUST SOBBED SO HARD READING A BIOGRAPHY.
Rebecca Batley does a great job of giving cultural and historical context to make her portrayal of Ann Walker's life more robust; to fill in the unknowns that have been lost to time. I was incredibly moved by the littlest things, like Ann's persistent love for strawberries or ecclesiastical architecture. I was also struck by how difficult it must have been to be a femme lesbian in the 1830s - while not everyone liked her wife, Anne Lister, they gave her more respect because she "acted like" a man and dressed in men's clothes. Ann, in contrast, was always seen as a weak delicate flower who couldn't be trusted to assert her own will, much like many other ladies of her time. Yet she was brave enough to stand up against these crushing forces of patriarchy and heteronormativity and find her own happiness. The most devastating part was how fleeting this happiness was - Ann and Anne had a short 6 years together as wives.
I learned so much about 19th century perceptions of sexuality, womanhood, and mental health - oh how I wish Ann could have had the benefit of a modern view of mental health!
Stylistically, I found the writing largely well-done and quite compelling, though there were some grammatical errors that I hope will be remedied in future editions. When discussing their day-to-day activities, Batley's writing did get a bit monotonous, but not overbearingly so.
Thank you to the author for bringing to light Ann Walker's story which has been ignored for too long. I'll end with the author's words on how we should remember her:
"Ann was a woman of extraordinary courage; she loved to laugh, to travel, and she remained loyally at her wife’s side when it would have been all too easy to have left. When Ann loved, she loved fiercely and she was willing to court any amount of ridicule and disgrace to do so. She was clever, educated and resourceful, devoted to her family and to her God."
Rebecca Batley does a great job of giving cultural and historical context to make her portrayal of Ann Walker's life more robust; to fill in the unknowns that have been lost to time. I was incredibly moved by the littlest things, like Ann's persistent love for strawberries or ecclesiastical architecture. I was also struck by how difficult it must have been to be a femme lesbian in the 1830s - while not everyone liked her wife, Anne Lister, they gave her more respect because she "acted like" a man and dressed in men's clothes. Ann, in contrast, was always seen as a weak delicate flower who couldn't be trusted to assert her own will, much like many other ladies of her time. Yet she was brave enough to stand up against these crushing forces of patriarchy and heteronormativity and find her own happiness. The most devastating part was how fleeting this happiness was - Ann and Anne had a short 6 years together as wives.
I learned so much about 19th century perceptions of sexuality, womanhood, and mental health - oh how I wish Ann could have had the benefit of a modern view of mental health!
Stylistically, I found the writing largely well-done and quite compelling, though there were some grammatical errors that I hope will be remedied in future editions. When discussing their day-to-day activities, Batley's writing did get a bit monotonous, but not overbearingly so.
Thank you to the author for bringing to light Ann Walker's story which has been ignored for too long. I'll end with the author's words on how we should remember her:
"Ann was a woman of extraordinary courage; she loved to laugh, to travel, and she remained loyally at her wife’s side when it would have been all too easy to have left. When Ann loved, she loved fiercely and she was willing to court any amount of ridicule and disgrace to do so. She was clever, educated and resourceful, devoted to her family and to her God."
November 24, 2022
This is an incredibly researched and detailed book about the life of Ann Walker, known to most as the wife of the formidable Anne Lister.
Their story had become popular since the BBC’s hit series Gentleman Jack where Ann was portrayed wonderfully by Sophie Rundle, while the character was well written and portrayed, the viewers were often left with more questions than answers about Ann’s health and state of mind.
This book goes into great detail, most of which is thanks to the journal entries of both women, but also family paperwork and letters.
These two incredibly brave women were the first women to marry, they have a plaque in York. I have visited it and left flowers for them both.
This book details Ann’s seemingly constant struggle with her mental and physical health, only made worse by being surrounded by people wanting money from her. You feel an overwhelming desire to reach into the pages and hug her, to rescue her from people who sought to take away her rights with the appalling lunacy act, for their own material gains.
I love that the author has told Ann’s story. It’s a hugely important one, not only because of her marriage to Anne, but as an example of a young lady being manipulated and controlled by family and friends, who stood her ground about the way she felt about her wife and who history has unfortunately forgotten.
My daughter is a lesbian, she admires Anne and Ann hugely, she has made trips to Shibden and York to pay tribute to them both and she is SO happy that Ann has her own book, telling her story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book and leave a review.
Their story had become popular since the BBC’s hit series Gentleman Jack where Ann was portrayed wonderfully by Sophie Rundle, while the character was well written and portrayed, the viewers were often left with more questions than answers about Ann’s health and state of mind.
This book goes into great detail, most of which is thanks to the journal entries of both women, but also family paperwork and letters.
These two incredibly brave women were the first women to marry, they have a plaque in York. I have visited it and left flowers for them both.
This book details Ann’s seemingly constant struggle with her mental and physical health, only made worse by being surrounded by people wanting money from her. You feel an overwhelming desire to reach into the pages and hug her, to rescue her from people who sought to take away her rights with the appalling lunacy act, for their own material gains.
I love that the author has told Ann’s story. It’s a hugely important one, not only because of her marriage to Anne, but as an example of a young lady being manipulated and controlled by family and friends, who stood her ground about the way she felt about her wife and who history has unfortunately forgotten.
My daughter is a lesbian, she admires Anne and Ann hugely, she has made trips to Shibden and York to pay tribute to them both and she is SO happy that Ann has her own book, telling her story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book and leave a review.
February 19, 2023
I am currently unable to put this down! I enjoyed the series Gentleman Jack on BBC and had always been intrigued by Ann Walker. She was seen as mentally frail and passive by the majority of people around her, particularly her overbearing relatives. Anne Lister helped to broaden her horizons and build up her confidence with extensive travel and loving attention. Ann Walker did seem to bloom under Anne Lister's influence and became more decisive and adventurous. That is not to say that Anne Lister was a saint, far from it. She was a social and intellectual snob, a gold digger and a womaniser. One could even say she was something of a predator. She failed to introduce Ann to her high society friends and continued to flirt with other women after their marriage, which hurt Ann a great deal. Ann's great wealth was definitely a major consideration in Anne Lister's decision to marry her. This book is a very honest account of their relationship with all of its ups and downs. The recent discovery of Ann Walker's diary has allowed fresh insight into her life as a quietly determined lady who bravely overcame her struggles with mental illness and threw social convention to the wind by marrying Anne at a time when such relationships between women were not even acknowledged.
March 17, 2024
Estremamente interessante e informativo, riesce a staccare il più possibile la figura di Ann Walker da quella di sua moglie e a renderla tridimensionale con attenzione e sensibilità, senza allo stesso tempo abbandonare il rigore scientifico e prendersi licenze poetiche. Le ipotesi, quando ci sono, sono chiaramente esplicitate e comunque verosimili. Toccanti anche gli estratti del diario di Ann Walker, una figura con la quale si empatizza rapidamente e a cui l'autrice rende giustizia sottolineandone l'immenso coraggio e la forza di carattere, contrariamente alla tradizione. Unica, imbarazzante pecca: i troppi refusi, in un lavoro altrimenti molto curato.
December 15, 2022
Really enjoyed this biography of Ann Walker bringing to life a character rarely known to history. Rebecca Batley’s biography, Ann Walker, is as thoroughly researched as historical evidence allows. It highlights Ann’s philanthropic enterprises and business acumen, not solely as the wife of Anne Lister, but in her own right. All this during an era when women were medically classed as ‘lunatic’ and therefore under legal guardianship simply for refusing to follow societal convention. An extraordinary read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews