Louisa Sophia
My leading lady's historical background
For those that have read one of my books or one of the previews, I wanted to share some info about my primary characters and how they came to be created. Because ladies go first, and she is the leading lady in both of my series, I will start with the enigmatic Louisa Sophia.
Born August, 22, 1857
Birthplace Corfu
Parents
Father - Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl of Cromer
Mother - unknown.
Education
Taught by private tutors on Corfu until age 11, when her mother died.
Received an education in the art of being a burglar from her mother's brother beginning at age nine until age twelve.
Moved to Paris at age twelve. Her British noble father pulled strings to have her attend the boarding school for the daughters of French military officers who won the Légion d'honneur.
The Maison d'éducation de Saint-Denis was one of three maisons d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur. Segmented by social class, the Légion school at Saint-Denis was for girls from higher society.
Attended from May 1870 to June 1875.
Graduated with a certificate in teaching.
Moved to England to attend Girton College for women from 1876 to 1879, where she passed the Cambridge Classical Tripos exams.
Favorite Quote
I feel no shame in loving myself above all. - Euripides
Favorite Sayings
Ta matia sou dekatessera - Your eyes fourteen means to be on your guard and have your eyes open in a dangerous situation.
Favorite Weapon
British .442 Webley Bull Dog revolver. British Bull Dog Revolver - Wikipedia
Louisa Sophia, the person from History
The real Louisa Sophia was the illegitimate child of Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl of Cromer, and was born sometime around 1860 to an unknown Corfiot woman. At that time, Baring was a young Lieutenant in the British Artillery at his first posting on the island. Nothing is known of her childhood except that her father paid two payments a year until she turned eighteen, when he gave her an inheritance.
Louisa was added to the plot when I found her referenced while researching the Earl of Cromer. I'm not even sure if Louisa Sophia is her first and middle names or if Sophia was a sir name given to bastard children similar to Jon Snow. Her age and almost everything written about her in my books are fictional.
Who was the physical inspiration for Louisa Sophia?
Because of Louisa's Greek background, I immediately envisioned her looking like the famous Greek Opera singer, Maria Callas. Do you see the resemblance?
