31 March 1920: Deborah Mitford is born

The Duchess of Devonshire was a devoted Elvis Presley superfan – her love of the King of Rock and Roll ran so deep that she visited Graceland twice, collected memorabilia and even installed what was later described as a shrine to him at Chatsworth. [1]

On 31 March 1920, Deborah Vivien Freeman-Mitford was born, the youngest daughter of David Freeman-Mitford, 2nd Baron Redesdale, and his wife, Sydney. Known to her family as Debo, she grew up at Asthall Manor in Oxfordshire, surrounded by the sisters whose lives would fascinate the public for decades.

Deborah remembered Asthall with affection. There were summers by the River Windrush, family celebrations and plenty of time outdoors. Horses, dogs and chickens interested her more than the political arguments that would later divide her sisters. Like them, she was educated at home by governesses and received little formal schooling.

In 1938, at eighteen, Deborah made her debut in London society. That summer she met Andrew Cavendish, a younger son of the Duke of Devonshire. They fell in love, though neither imagined that Chatsworth would one day become their responsibility. They married in 1941, with Britain at war.

Andrew’s elder brother was killed during the war, and in 1950 Andrew inherited the dukedom. Deborah eventually took on the formidable task of bringing Chatsworth back to life. She helped make the great house a welcoming place for visitors while preserving its history and character.

Unlike her sister Nancy, Deborah did not become a published author in her youth. Her writing came later, growing out of her years at Chatsworth. The House: A Portrait of Chatsworth combined her knowledge of its past with a lively eye for the people who had lived there. More books, including a memoir, followed, revealing the wit and warmth that made Debo a writer in her own right.