Mary Wesley (1912-2002) was one of Britain’s best-selling novelists. Her ten books sold more than 3 million copies – an incredible feat, considering she didn’t publish her first novel until she was 70 years old.
Mary Wesley (1912-2002) was one of Britain’s best-selling novelists. Her ten books sold more than 3 million copies – an incredible feat, considering she didn’t publish her first novel until she was 70 years old.
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Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
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Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica.
This month, we're highlighting women who've led dynamic lives. Ones that have shifted, evolved and bloomed, often later in life.
Today’s womanican was one of Britain’s best-selling novelists. Her ten books sold more than 3 million copies – an incredible feat, considering she didn’t publish her first novel until she was 70 years old.
Let’s talk about Mary Wesley.
Mary was born in 1912, the youngest child of a British army colonel and his wife, Violet. Born into a world of wealth and society, Mary was raised with the expectation that she’d never have to work – so she never went to school. A revolving door of governesses took over her education. Once, when she asked her mother why her governesses were always leaving, her mother reportedly said, “Because none of them like you, darling."
Despite neglect from her mother, Mary grew into a beautiful, curious young woman. Eager to learn more about the world, she took courses at the London School of Economics.
But Mary also understood the expectations of a woman in her position. She was presented at court, and when she was 25 years old, married Baron Swinfen.
Mary gave birth to two sons. But her marriage was not a happy one. Years later, she admitted that her second son, Toby, was the result of an affair. After a few years, Mary left the Baron. Their eventual divorce, in 1945, scandalized her family.
Like a lot of British women with her education and social standing, Mary worked in intelligence during World War II. And despite the horrors of the war, Mary… thrived. She was newly single, making a difference with her work. She later described the era as "an atmosphere of terror and exhilaration and parties, parties, parties." Her life became one of excess – lots of drinking, and lots of lovers.
In 1944, Mary met Eric Siepmann, a playwright and journalist. He was half-Irish, half-German, and Mary’s family strongly disapproved. But she and Eric were head over heels in love. And they stayed that happy for nearly three decades.
In 1970, Eric died. His death wrecked Mary. She later wrote that she felt like she’d been cut in half, "like a carcass at the butcher's.”
And it wasn’t just that she’d lost her partner. Mary, suddenly a single mother was also left with no money and no income. She sold her jewelry, and knitted pieces. And? She started writing again.
For much of her life, Mary had penned stories, but despite encouragement from her late husband, she often threw them in the garbage.
In the midst of her grief, she started working on a new novel: Jumping the Queue. The plot was personal: a widow can’t bear the idea of living without her husband. So she plans a suicidal picnic. And chaos – unexpected, exciting, sensual chaos – ensues.
The book was sad, and funny, and a bit eccentric, and unlike most books on the market. Mary showed it to a friend, who encouraged her to submit it to publishers. After a few no’s, Jumping the Queue found a home with Macmillan Publishing. And in 1982, it hit the shelves. Mary was 70 years old, and still barely scraping by, financially. But suddenly, she was a literary star.
For a big part of the 1980s and 90s, a new year meant a new Mary Wesley book. Her novels featured sex and sexy language – topics that seemed off limits for a woman like Mary. And though none of them were memoirs, many of her novels allowed Mary to explore parts of her life on paper. Several were set during World War II, when Mary had had something of an awakening. Some featured difficult relationships between mothers and daughters. Some main characters struggle with hatred, and anger, and violence. Some even kill.
Mary kept writing until her death in 2002, at the age of 90. She was buried next to her husband, Eric, in a shiny red coffin that she’d ordered from a local craftsman. For years, she’d used it as a coffee table.
All month, we’re highlighting dynamos. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!