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Case Studies
Examining the detail of Ripon's Law and Order Past
Famous author's family link to Ripon Workhouse
The biography of Barbara Taylor Bradford published in February 2005 reveals some interesting facts about her family.
The biographer, Piers Dudgeon, sets out to show that her mother may well have been the illegitimate daughter of the future Second Marquis of Ripon. Following the latter's elevation to the peerage in 1910 on the death of the first marquis, Barbara's grandmother Edith found herself on hard times and, as was the fate of many with children born out of wedlock, was forced into Ripon Workhouse with her daughter Freda. Records show that she arrived at the gates in May 1910 and was there till the following year.
Mr Dudgeon feels the stint must have had a profound effect on both Edith and Freda, then aged six. "The stigma of being in the workhouse was burned into a child's very soul." Perhaps this was partly responsible for Freda's determination that her daughter Barbara must succeed, as indeed she has, to be one of the world's most widely-read novelists.
"The Woman of Substance: The Life and Works of Barabara Taylor Bradford" is written by Piers Dudgeon and published by Harper Collins at £18.99. For more information see www.barbarataylorbradford.com.
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