Origins & Early Life

Elizabeth Pakenham, Countess of Longford (née Harman; 30 August 1906 – 23 October 2002), better known as Elizabeth Longford, was an English historian. She was a member of the Royal Society of Literature and was on the board of trustees of the National Portrait Gallery in London. She is best known as a historian, especially for her biographies of 19th-century figures including Queen Victoria (1964), Lord Byron (1976) and the Duke of Wellington (1969). Elizabeth Harman was born on 30 August 1906 at 108 Harley Street in Marylebone, London.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The daughter of eye specialist Nathaniel Bishop Harman, she was educated at Francis Holland School and Headington School, and was an undergraduate at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. "Able, articulate and beautiful", in the words of The New York Times, she was "the Zuleika Dobson of her day, with undergraduates and even dons tumbling over one another to fall in love with her". A few years after her graduation, on 3 November 1931, she married Frank Pakenham, later 7th Earl of Longford, who died in August 2001. Her obituary by the BBC said the marriage was "famously harmonious". The New York Times, in its review of The Pebbled Shore, called...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. P. Taylor — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
• Billy Wilder — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Versatile Austrian-American filmmaker known for sharp screenplays and directorial mastery.
• Charles Revson — Contemporary (Born in 1906) (1906): Pioneering American cosmetics magnate, founder of Revlon.
• Abba Eban — Contemporary (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Astrid Lindgren — Contemporary (Died in 2002) (2002): Iconic Swedish children's author, celebrated for imaginative tales and advocacy.
• Benson Boone — Contemporary (Born in 2002) (2002): American singer-songwriter known for powerful vocals and emotional ballads.
• Antonio da Correggio — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1489): Master of the Parma School, known for sensuous, dynamic High Renaissance painting.
• Cameron Diaz — Shared historical date (08-30 · Born) (1972): American actress known for comedy and drama, with films grossing over $3 billion.
• Alex Gibney — Shared historical date (10-23 · Born) (1953): Acclaimed American documentary filmmaker known for investigative works on power and belief.
• Ang Lee — Shared historical date (10-23 · Born) (1954): Acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker known for exploring deep, repressed human emotions.
• 1906 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1906
• August 30 (08-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 30
• 2002 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2002
• October 23 (10-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 23