Publications
From bootmaker's daughter to Napoleon's mistress, by Graham Taylor-Paddick, published December 2008 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 18 no. 4, article, pp.214-215) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15860] & The Keep [LIB/508971] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.
Preview:This article concerns a possible cousin of mine, who was a fairly distinguished lady who had grassroots origins in Brighton. I refer to Elizabeth Ann HARYETT who, under the pseudonym Harriet HOWARD, became the mistress and financial backer of Emperor Napoleon III of France.
Brighton's Backstreet Contessa, by Roy Grant, published June 2014 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 21 no. 2, article, pp.74-78) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508981]
Preview:The life of the Countess of Beauregard: Formerly Harriet Howard, but born Eliza(beth) Ann Haryett of Brighton (1823 -1865)
One advantage of having an interest in family histories is that you can occasionally diversify and use the same skills to explore some quite fascinating topics. An investigation I undertook for personal amusement rather than family ties, was verifying numerous historical accounts about an astute beauty from Brighton's backstreets, whose activities as a courtesan made her an extremely wealthy confidante of Napoleon III of France. Although I have no connection with the Brighton HARYETTs, GOWENs, ALDERTONs or to my knowledge, the French aristocracy, her rise, 'from rags to riches' so intrigued me that I was determined to investigate the accuracy of those stories.
One advantage of having an interest in family histories is that you can occasionally diversify and use the same skills to explore some quite fascinating topics. An investigation I undertook for personal amusement rather than family ties, was verifying numerous historical accounts about an astute beauty from Brighton's backstreets, whose activities as a courtesan made her an extremely wealthy confidante of Napoleon III of France. Although I have no connection with the Brighton HARYETTs, GOWENs, ALDERTONs or to my knowledge, the French aristocracy, her rise, 'from rags to riches' so intrigued me that I was determined to investigate the accuracy of those stories.