Liberal Hearts and Coronets

"Liberal Hearts and Coronets convincingly argues that the Aberdeens provide us with invaluable insight into the political and social worlds of Great Britain and the Empire during the fascinating years of high imperialism and its decline after the First World War. Strong-Boag's research is impressive. Her analysis is sure and deft." -- Jane Errington, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, Royal Military College of Canada "Veronica Strong-Boag's double biography of the Aberdeens offers a unique and meaningful opportunity to reflect on the history of the British aristocracy and the transformation of gender roles, family life, and politics. This is a very good story and an important one." -- Dominique Marshall, Department of History, Carleton University

Superbly written and informed by decades of research, Liberal Hearts and Coronets is the first biography to treat John Campbell Gordon as seriously as his better-known wife, Ishbel Marjoribanks Gordon.

Scottish aristocrats John Campbell Gordon (1847–1934) and Ishbel Marjoribanks Gordon (1857–1939), known as the Aberdeens, rejected both revolution and reaction in their political careers. The aristocratic progressivism and egalitarian marriage of these fervent liberals confounded both contemporaries and historians. John, as viceroy of Ireland and governor-general of Canada, was a notable ally of feminists, workers, and Irish Home Rulers. Ishbel, his viceregal companion and the long-time president of the International Council of Women, was a liberal feminist and Home Ruler whose commitments stirred up even more controversy.

Superbly written and informed by decades of research, Liberal Hearts and Coronets is the first biography to treat John Campbell Gordon as seriously as his better-known wife.  Examining the Aberdeens’ remarkable careers as landlords, philanthropists, and international progressives, Veronica Strong-Boag casts the twilight of the British aristocracy in an entirely new light.