A Toast To Lady Mary: Doris Leslie

The story of Lady Mary's courtship - the strangest courtship at that - which culminates in her romantic elopement and becoming Lady Mary Wortley Montagu is told here with a good humor and shrewd psychological approach to this enigmatic character. Having married a British ambassador, the scenes of her life range from the Courts of Queen Anne and George I to the harems of Constantinople - a story full of adventure. The poet, Alexander Pope, was infatuated by her and infuriated by Lord Hervey's apparent interest that Pope satirised him as 'Lord Fanny'. Lady Mary was known for her flamboyant behavior, often wore elaborate Turkish clothing and took snuff. Whether she was writing letters, ballads or mock epics, her talents revealed a strikingly independent and clever mind. She made a niche for women writers, making her a pioneer.