Elizabeth Anne Galton’s mind was as sharp and enquiring in her nineties, when Edward VII was King, as it had been in her youth during the Regency period. Her long life fitted almost exactly into the 19th century and, in the fascinating reminiscences from which this book is taken, she chronicled its changes with an observant eye. She was a devout philanthropic woman, much influenced by her Quaker relations, but her strong principles were leavened with a great sense of fun.

A list of her friends, relations and acquaintances reads like a scientific, financial and commercial ‘Who’s Who’. She was the daughter of an influential Birmingham banker who managed the city’s affairs as High Bailiff – today’s equivalent of Mayor. Through him she was related to many families of importance including the Barclays, Frys, Gurneys and Lloyds, in addition to those like the Wedgwoods whose forebears had helped to make the Industrial Revolution.

Elizabeth Anne’s brother, Sir Francis Galton FRS, is regarded as the founder of the science of eugenics. Among his other accomplishments he pioneered the use of fingerprints as a method of identification. She and the great Charles Darwin shared a common grandfather, Erasmus Darwin FRS, who was the moving spirit in the famous group of scientists, the Lunar Society of Birmingham – nick-named the “Lunaticks”. These illustrious men and their friends appear in her memoirs in a very human light.

In 1838, Elizabeth Anne attended Queen Victoria’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey, which she described at the time as the happiest day of her life. In 1897, as a spritely 89-year-old, she watched Victoria’s (“very long”) Diamond Jubilee celebration procession as it passed through London.

Her memoirs have been edited by Andrew Moilliet, a descendant of her sister Lucy. There are gems of all kinds on every page, including the defeat of Bonaparte, dancing bears, highwaymen, the first trains, the ‘science’ of phrenology, life at a Regency spa, her ‘season’ as a debutante, the death of George III, a lavish dinner for the Duke of Wellington, his grand public funeral – and the blissful arrival of elastic shoulder-straps for stiffly-corseted women...

To assist genealogists and local historians the book has been comprehensively indexed by the editor. The index can be consulted on-line, so that you can see if there is mention of a person, place or event of interest to you. To access the Index, click here

He and his wife have three grown-up children and two grandchildren.

       "I shall miss my daily commute accompanied by Elizabeth Anne Galton. This book invites the reader into the household of Elizabeth, her extended family and many acquaintances. I have shared Elizabeth's moments of unbridled enthusiasm at the Coronation of Queen Victoria, and heartbreak on the passing of her father.
        "Travelling by coach, rail and steam packet we arrive at numerous destinations, meeting friends, relations and experiencing events that 'come alive' on account of Elizabeth's descriptive and personal recollections.
        "When I finally turned the last page of the postscript written by Elizabeth's daughter, Lucy Studdy, I felt as though I had lost someone close, for it is the experience of Elizabeth's life and those with whom she comes into contact that runs though this book, which makes it, for me, so enjoyable.
        "Andrew Moilliet, through careful editing of this work, has provided the opportunity to experience these reminiscences in a format that makes for their ease of reading, whilst retaining the 'diary' aspect of the original work." - Andrew C. B. Lethbridge (08/02/04)