Woman Named Edith

Daria Santini is an independent scholar and writer. She was lecturer in German language and literature at the University of Oxford for fifteen years and is the author of The Exiles: Actors, Artists and Writers Who Fled the Nazis for London.

“An absorbing portrait not just of a singular woman, but of a moment in history when the fight against injustice and tyranny was a matter of life and death, and the promise of communist ideals had yet to be fatally tarnished.”—Mathew Lyons, Broken Compass“A Woman Named Edith reads like a thriller and is superbly researched.”—Jane Thynne, Aspects of History“Santini makes a strong case for her subject’s importance as a photographer. . . Yet it is her still largely mysterious life as a spy that fascinates.”—Tim Bouverie, Engelsberg Ideas“In this moving account, Santini pieces together the story of Edith’s life, revealing a woman of great energy, determination, and creativity — who played a role in shaping both documentary photography and one of the most important espionage networks of the 20th century.”—PetaPixel“Impressive. . . . Edith Tudor Hart’s story has never been told in such depth and with such sensitivity.”—Tom Buchanan, University of Oxford“An Austrian émigré to Britain, Edith Tudor Hart was one of the most significant spies and agent-runners in history. Yet she was also a much admired photographer, devoted mother and lover to a string of famous men. In this meticulously researched and sympathetic book, Edith finally gets the biography she deserves.”—Richard Cockett, author of Vienna“A brilliant biography. . . . At last Edith Tudor Hart emerges from the shadows to take her rightful place in the history of espionage. Daria Santini combines the latest revelations from MI5 files with unique access to photo archives.”—Stewart Purvis, coauthor of Guy Burgess: The Spy Who Knew Everyone“Beautifully researched and written. . . . Edith Tudor Hart’s life has been obscured behind her role as ‘the grandmother’ of the Cambridge Five, but she was so much more than that. Santini reveals a compassionate, creative woman, whose life was shaped by the seismic political and social changes in Europe.”—Helen Fry, author of Women in Intelligence