Trailblazer

‘Jane Robinson is brilliant at putting the women back into history and her biography of Barbara Leigh Bodichon, a Victorian feminist we should all be grateful to, is as entertaining as it is necessary.’

Daisy Goodwin

As a long-serving head of the pioneering ‘College for Women’ I thought I had the measure of our flamboyant co-founder. I was wrong. Barbara Bodichon, artist, educator, influencer and more, was a driving force for an age of reform. Full of fab facts and inspiring incidents this book tells the remarkable story of a social outsider whose clear-sighted vision, disregard for convention, selfless support for others, and relentless pursuit of justice was game-changing for women's inclusion in political, professional and public life.

Susan J, Smith FBA, Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge 2009-2022

Lively and well researched ... [Bodichon] was a vital cog in the wheel of social change for women. Her energy is contagious.

Ysenda Maxtone Graham, The Times

Through skillful storytelling and a warm-hearted narrative style, she makes high-mindedness, endeavour and idealism seem both compelling and, in its deep and intellectual friendships even romantic ... One of the many engaging features of her book is the affection in which she holds her characters ... What a lot we have to thank Barbara Bodichon and her circle for. She was a charismatic but self-effacing woman so she would at the very least have been perplexed by the idea of being a role model. But I can't think of a better one for today.

Lucy Lethbridge, Literary Review

Jane Robinson’s new biography reads like a Who’s Who of Victorian political and artistic society ... You close this book with a new character in your mental list of great Victorians:

Sussex Life

Stylishly written, and rich with entertaining anecdotes, Robinson’s biography reanimates this almost forgotten, generous and visionary woman.

Rebecca Wallersteiner, The Lady

What an amazing biography Jane Robinson has written of this incredible social trailblazer and feminist pioneer, an account that both elucidates and entertains. Historical facts, political struggles, a life full of both challenges and fun. Truly brilliant.

Morning Star

Jane Robinson’s admiration of [Barbara’s] achievements, and her incisive and immersive approach to writing her life story, ensures that her subject catches the sun.

Emelyne Godfrey, Times Literary Supplement

An overdue tribute to an unsung feminist pioneer. . . Robinson gives a buoyant, skilfully managed account that is undeniably moving. Her warmth for Bodichon is in the end beguiling: she is as sincere as her subject.

Kathy O’Shaughnessy, Financial Times

Robinson provides a lively, sympathetic biography of a woman who was truly the trailblazer of her book's title.

FT

Lively and wide-ranging ... The subtitle of this biography — The first feminist — rightly places Barbara in the vanguard of change. On every page, however, we see the networks of women and men who came together to challenge the status quo. This in some ways is the most exciting element of the story: how many other women were daring to speak out, to act. Barbara was the galvanising element ... Barbara’s multi-faceted life has been brought into focus thanks to Robinson’s thorough research. Robinson's enjoyment of the process shines through.

Dr Suzanne Fagence Cooper, Church Times

‘Jane Robinson is brilliant at putting the women back into history and her biography of Barbara Leigh Bodichon, a Victorian feminist we should all be grateful to, is as entertaining as it is necessary.’

Daisy Goodwin

As a long-serving head of the pioneering ‘College for Women’ I thought I had the measure of our flamboyant co-founder. I was wrong. Barbara Bodichon, artist, educator, influencer and more, was a driving force for an age of reform. Full of fab facts and inspiring incidents this book tells the remarkable story of a social outsider whose clear-sighted vision, disregard for convention, selfless support for others, and relentless pursuit of justice was game-changing for women's inclusion in political, professional and public life.

Susan J, Smith FBA, Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge 2009-2022

Lively and well researched ... [Bodichon] was a vital cog in the wheel of social change for women. Her energy is contagious.

Ysenda Maxtone Graham, The Times

Through skillful storytelling and a warm-hearted narrative style, she makes high-mindedness, endeavour and idealism seem both compelling and, in its deep and intellectual friendships even romantic ... One of the many engaging features of her book is the affection in which she holds her characters ... What a lot we have to thank Barbara Bodichon and her circle for. She was a charismatic but self-effacing woman so she would at the very least have been perplexed by the idea of being a role model. But I can't think of a better one for today.

Lucy Lethbridge, Literary Review

Jane Robinson’s new biography reads like a Who’s Who of Victorian political and artistic society ... You close this book with a new character in your mental list of great Victorians:

Sussex Life

Stylishly written, and rich with entertaining anecdotes, Robinson’s biography reanimates this almost forgotten, generous and visionary woman.

Rebecca Wallersteiner, The Lady

What an amazing biography Jane Robinson has written of this incredible social trailblazer and feminist pioneer, an account that both elucidates and entertains. Historical facts, political struggles, a life full of both challenges and fun. Truly brilliant.

Morning Star

Jane Robinson’s admiration of [Barbara’s] achievements, and her incisive and immersive approach to writing her life story, ensures that her subject catches the sun.

Emelyne Godfrey, Times Literary Supplement

An overdue tribute to an unsung feminist pioneer. . . Robinson gives a buoyant, skilfully managed account that is undeniably moving. Her warmth for Bodichon is in the end beguiling: she is as sincere as her subject.

Kathy O’Shaughnessy, Financial Times

Robinson provides a lively, sympathetic biography of a woman who was truly the trailblazer of her book's title.

FT

Lively and wide-ranging ... The subtitle of this biography — The first feminist — rightly places Barbara in the vanguard of change. On every page, however, we see the networks of women and men who came together to challenge the status quo. This in some ways is the most exciting element of the story: how many other women were daring to speak out, to act. Barbara was the galvanising element ... Barbara’s multi-faceted life has been brought into focus thanks to Robinson’s thorough research. Robinson's enjoyment of the process shines through.

Dr Suzanne Fagence Cooper, Church Times