Jane Ridley

Nymphomaniac, fearless campaigner, alcoholic – Nancy Cunard was all this and more

The rebel who loved to shock was also a successful publisher, and the muse of leading writers throughout the interwar years, says Anne de Courcy

Nancy Cunard, photographed by Man Ray. [courtesy of the Everett Collection/ Alamy]

The title of Anne de Courcy’s riveting new book might give the impression that Nancy Cunard had no more than five lovers. In fact she had many, many more.

Born in 1896, Nancy was the only child of fantastically ill-matched parents. Her mother, Maud – she later changed her name to Emerald – was an American heiress and socialite.

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