24 September 2026 Susannah

The Extraordinary Mitfords: Sydney & Melbourne

The Mitford Sisters & The Devonshire Jewels

The six Mitford sisters could hardly have been more different. Nancy made readers laugh with her sharp, affectionate observations of the world she knew. Jessica became a writer and campaigner, while Diana and Unity made political choices that divided the family and shocked Britain. And then there was Deborah, the youngest, who became Duchess of Devonshire and helped bring new life to Chatsworth House.

I am delighted to be joining my friend, jewellery historian Adrian Dickens, for two talks about this extraordinary family. I’ll explore the sisters’ lives and writing, with a particular fondness for Nancy. Adrian will turn to Deborah’s family heirlooms and personal jewels, including her amazing collection of insect brooches. There are some intriguing stories behind all that sparkle.

Melbourne:

Tuesday 20 October, 10.30 am–12.40 pm, Majorca Room, City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC. Book your Melbourne ticket.

Sydney:

Friday 27 November, 1.30 pm–4.30 pm, Roseville Uniting Church Hall, 7A Lord Street, Roseville NSW. Book your Sydney ticket.

I hope you can join us for a little literature, family history and sparkle. Do you have a comment?

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Featured image- The Mitford Sisters & The Devonshire Jewels, AI-generated with ChatGPT (OpenAI), 2026.
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