Longford, Elizabeth (1906—)
Longford, Elizabeth (1906—)
English historian. Name variations: Countess of Longford, formerly Lady Pakenham; Elizabeth Harman Pakenham. Born in London, England, on August 30, 1906; daughter of Nathaniel Bishop (an ophthalmologist) and Katherine (Chamberlain) Harman; received her degree in Literae Humaniores at Oxford; married Francis Aungier Pakenham, 7th earl of Longford (a writer and politician), in 1931; children: Thomas Pakenham; Patrick Pakenham; Judith Kazantzis ; Rachel Billington ; Michael Pakenham; Catherine Pakenham (died 1969); Kevin Pakenham; Antonia Fraser (b. 1932, a writer).
A woman of numerous interests and achievements, Elizabeth Longford was twice a Labour candidate for Parliament, is a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery and a Member of the Royal Society of Literature. She is also the author of the bestselling books, Queen Victoria: Born to Succeed; Wellington: The Years of the Sword and Victoria, R.I. Her 1986 autobiography is entitled The Pebbled Shore: The Memoirs of Elizabeth Longford.