Congratulations to Amy Gray on the publication of her (much-needed) new biography, Red Duchess: Kitty Atholl A Rebel in Westminster, published by The History Press (2025). Amy’s book launch is at Waterstones, Cardinal Place, 88 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5JL this evening.
Who was the Red Duchess Kitty Atholl?
‘The Duchess of Atholl was a pioneering female politician who thought women didn’t need a vote; a conservative who shared platforms with communists; a shy public speaker who travelled the world speaking for Spanish refugees: the formidable Duchess of Atholl was full of contradictions.
Born into an ancient Scottish family and married to a philandering duke, Kitty rose above the constraints of her class and convention to become a tireless advocate for women and children. By her election as the first Scottish female MP in 1923, she was one of the most prominent women in Scotland – and that was well before she shocked Westminster with outspoken rebellions against her own government.
She stood with Spanish refugees and challenged fascism, visited war zones and campaigned with her political opponents, criticised tyrants and wrote her own political playbook’
(from inside cover of The Red Duchess (2025)).
Going forward
We are delighted that Amy is planning to write for our site on ‘Katherine Murray Stewart, Duchess of Atholl: From Anti-Suffrage Campaigner to Pioneering Woman Minister’ and at a later date on opposition to the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise Act) 1928 – watch this space!!!
Red Duchess, will be quickly appearing on our module lists, especially the third year module ‘Battleaxes and Benchwarmers: The Aftermath of Suffrage and Early Women MPs’.
You can hear Amy discussing the book on BBC Women’s Hour (from about 22.50).
Red Duchess is available at bookshop.org, Waterstones or Amazon.