David Waller, an author and management consultant, has written two previous books and holds a postgraduate degree in Victorian studies from Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in London.

"David Waller's biography of Gertrude Tennant forces us to rework our notions of haute-bourgeois dowagers: Gertrude's life was one of rich variety, from friendship with Flaubert in youth to Oscar Wilde and Henry James in later years. David Waller, in this richly rewarding picture of late Victorian society, paints a portrait of a woman with appeal and grace."—Judith Flanders, author of Consuming Passions"Alive to the perils and passions of the era, this book breathes fresh life into the supposedly corsetted and cossetted world of nineteenth-century literary high society." - Ian Kelly, author of Beau Brummell and the Sunday Times Biography of the Year 2008, Casanova "David Waller has written an engaging biography about the marvellous Gertrude Tennant. We all need someone like Gertrude in our lives; failing that, having her for a quiet hour or two is a delicious treat." - Amanda Foreman "Thoroughly engaging and extremely well written. The Magnificent Mrs Tennant is not only the story of a fascinating woman's rise through intelligent Victorian Society, but an eye-opening portrait of life amongst the great men of the day." - Frances Osborne, author of The Bolter "How did the self-educated daughter of a penniless, half-pay naval officer become one of Victorian England's great  hostesses? This very unusual and remarkably engrossing story is impressively  researched and vividly told." - Tim Jeal, author of Stanley

David Waller, an author and management consultant, has written two previous books and holds a postgraduate degree in Victorian studies from Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in London.

"David Waller's biography of Gertrude Tennant forces us to rework our notions of haute-bourgeois dowagers: Gertrude's life was one of rich variety, from friendship with Flaubert in youth to Oscar Wilde and Henry James in later years. David Waller, in this richly rewarding picture of late Victorian society, paints a portrait of a woman with appeal and grace."—Judith Flanders, author of Consuming Passions"Alive to the perils and passions of the era, this book breathes fresh life into the supposedly corsetted and cossetted world of nineteenth-century literary high society." - Ian Kelly, author of Beau Brummell and the Sunday Times Biography of the Year 2008, Casanova "David Waller has written an engaging biography about the marvellous Gertrude Tennant. We all need someone like Gertrude in our lives; failing that, having her for a quiet hour or two is a delicious treat." - Amanda Foreman "Thoroughly engaging and extremely well written. The Magnificent Mrs Tennant is not only the story of a fascinating woman's rise through intelligent Victorian Society, but an eye-opening portrait of life amongst the great men of the day." - Frances Osborne, author of The Bolter "How did the self-educated daughter of a penniless, half-pay naval officer become one of Victorian England's great  hostesses? This very unusual and remarkably engrossing story is impressively  researched and vividly told." - Tim Jeal, author of Stanley

David Waller, an author and management consultant, has written two previous books and holds a postgraduate degree in Victorian studies from Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in London.

"David Waller's biography of Gertrude Tennant forces us to rework our notions of haute-bourgeois dowagers: Gertrude's life was one of rich variety, from friendship with Flaubert in youth to Oscar Wilde and Henry James in later years. David Waller, in this richly rewarding picture of late Victorian society, paints a portrait of a woman with appeal and grace."—Judith Flanders, author of Consuming Passions"Alive to the perils and passions of the era, this book breathes fresh life into the supposedly corsetted and cossetted world of nineteenth-century literary high society." - Ian Kelly, author of Beau Brummell and the Sunday Times Biography of the Year 2008, Casanova "David Waller has written an engaging biography about the marvellous Gertrude Tennant. We all need someone like Gertrude in our lives; failing that, having her for a quiet hour or two is a delicious treat." - Amanda Foreman "Thoroughly engaging and extremely well written. The Magnificent Mrs Tennant is not only the story of a fascinating woman's rise through intelligent Victorian Society, but an eye-opening portrait of life amongst the great men of the day." - Frances Osborne, author of The Bolter "How did the self-educated daughter of a penniless, half-pay naval officer become one of Victorian England's great  hostesses? This very unusual and remarkably engrossing story is impressively  researched and vividly told." - Tim Jeal, author of Stanley