Reformers, patrons and philanthropists : the Cowper-Temples and high politics in Victorian Britain

"William and Georgina Cowper-Temple were significant figures in nineteenth-century Britain. William Cowper-Temple, later Lord Mount Temple, was private secretary to one Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, and minister in the government of Lord Palmerston. He sought to improve the nation's health and rebuild London, and famously amended the Education Act in 1870. His charismatic wife, Georgina, was also champion of diverse social and moral reforms, and friend to such worthies as John Ruskin, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Frances Power Cobbe and Mrs Oscar Wilde. In the first full-length biography of this distinguished couple, James Gregory explores the Cowper-Temples' roles within Whig-Liberalism, philanthropy and social reform, and provides a fascinating insight into the private lives of two aristocrats dedicated to using their powers of influence to alleviate problems in Victorian society."--Bloomsbury Publishing. William And Georgina Cowper-temple Were Significant Figures In Nineteenth-century Britain. William Cowper-temple, Later Lord Mount Temple, Was Private Secretary To One Prime Minister, His Uncle Lord Melbourne, And Junior Minister In The Government Of His Stepfather And Probable Natural Father, Lord Palmerston. He Was Groom In Waiting To The Young Queen Victoria, And A Friend Of Such Early-victorian Luminaries As Edward Bulwer-lytton, Caroline Norton And Richard Monckton Milnes. Through His Positions On The Board Of Health And The Board Of Works, And As A Supporter Of The Christian Socialists, He Sought To Improve The Nation's Health And Rebuild London. Before His Retirement From A Long Career In The Commons, He Famously Amended The Education Act In 1870. Cowper-temple's Charismatic Wife, Georgina, Was Also Champion Of Diverse Social And Moral Reforms, And Friend To An Array Of Notable Victorian Figures.^ Georgina Was John Ruskin's 'egeria' And 'isola Bella', His Confidante During This Tragic Relationship With Rose La Touche. Georgina's Friends Also Included The Writer George Macdonald, The Poet And Artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, And Mrs. Oscar Wilde - To Whom She Was An Adored 'motherling'. Admired By Other Prominent Victorians From Robert Browning To Frances Power Cobbe, She Supported Causes From Antivivisectionism And Female Sanitary Reform To Teetotalism And Vegetarianism. In The First Full-length Biography Of This Distinguished Couple, James Gregory Explores The Cowper-temples' Roles Within The Whig-liberal Establishment, Philanthropy And Social Reform. Inspired By Evangelicalism, Spiritualism And Mysticism, The Cowper-temples Were Pioneers Of Christian Ecumenicalism - And Sought To Modernise The Church, Address Dire Sanitary Conditions, Advance Female Education, Elevate Taste And Improve The Treatment Of Animals.^ This Is A Fascinating Insight Into The Private Lives Of Two Aristocrats Who, In Partnership, Were Dedicated To Using Their Powers Of Influence To Alleviate The Problems Of A Society Undergoing Rapid And Often Bewildering Change. --book Jacket. James Gregory. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Table of Contents: Introduction -- 1. The Childhood and Youth of Billy Cowper -- 2. The Political and Courtly Life of Fascinating Billy, 1834-1842 -- 3. Husband and Wido, 1843-1848 -- 4. The Childhood of Georgina and a New Life -- 5. Junior Minister -- 6. The Private Life of the Cowpers, 1860-1867 -- 7. The Private Life of the Cowper-Temples, 1867-1877 -- 8. Lord Mount Temple: The Liberal Statesman -- 9. The Final Decade of Marriage, 1878-1888 -- 10. William and Georgina as Reformers -- 11. The Cowper-Temples and Religion -- 12. The Cultural Patronage of the Cowper-Temples -- 13. After William, 1888-1901 -- Conclusion