Dear Blog Friends,
Some of you may know that I am working on a dissertation for a PhD in European history. I've been working on this degree for many years and I am nearly finished. My dissertation needs to be handed in in early October so that I can defend in time to graduate in December. The deadline on this is very strict, and if I don't finish this fall, it is quite possible I will not get the degree. Baby Bean is off at camp for the month of July (she is having a really good time) and I am spending most of my time working. I have decided that I must stay focused and greatly reduce my blogging until my paper is complete. I'm so close -- I must finish!
My friend Jocebean convinced me to blog last winter and it was a lifesaver. Scholarship is a lonely business, and between Baby Bean, household duties, and my work, I have had little time for a social life of any kind. Blogging has filled my need for social interaction & I have so enjoyed meeting so many interesting, fun, funny, and kind people (& animals!!) . I thank all of you for coming to our site and for your friendly comments! I'll be back after I spend some quality time with Mrs. Montagu, the subject of my dissertation.
The top portrait is Elizabeth Montagu in the costume of Anne Boleyn. Miniature portraits were done as keepsakes for wealthy individuals, kind of like modern photographs. EM was about 20 years old in this image, not yet married. (c. 1740)The image at the very top of the post is a black and white photo of the of a painting of Elizabeth Montagu by Allan Ramsay, 1762.
These and other images of Elizabeth Montagu and other Bluestocking women of the 18th century were on display at the National Portrait Gallery (London) in 2008 at a special exhibit called "Brilliant Women." I was not able to attend, but have a copy of the lovely exhibition catalog. It is widely available, if anyone is interested. Just check Amazon.
