The Talented Mrs. Beeton 

Article by Cecilia Rehn. Edited by Victoria Ryves. Additional Research by Kathy Stein. 

Isabella Beeton’s book is published each year in a new edition. The book today contains little of Isabella’s original text, but has instead been adapted to fit the twenty-first century woman, competing with the books from other domestic goddesses such as Nigella Lawson. However, the figurehead of the Victorian domestic woman is still a key element inthe marketing of this book, highlighting how in Britain we still return to the Victorians for advice on a structured domestic ‘sphere’ in the home. 

Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management is quintessential Victorian literature. The recipes, information and tips on how to run a proper household were Isabella’s contribution to iconic Victorian domesticity. The book gives social and economic insights (such as how to keep servants in check and how to manage domestic finances) along side dietary examples from the time, meaning that historians have found much of interest in Isabella’s writings. 

Born in 1836 in Cheapside, London, Isabella Beeton was an interesting figure in the Victorian age. She was a very productive, industrious young woman, who died prematurely at the age of 29. Speculations as to her cause of death have centred on Kathryn Hughes’ theory of syphilis although no real proof can be found for this. Her life was to the surprise of many of her modern-day fans, very different from the Mrs Beeton character we meet in her books. After meeting her husband Sam Beeton, who was involved in the publishing industry, Isabella began writing herself with articles on cookery and household management. A young ambitious couple, the Beetons put many hours into working with their publications. Her important role in the publications challenged the Victorian concept of “separate spheres.” 

In what was to be her most crucial contribution, Isabella cited the need for a good “guide for young wives” of the aspiring middle classes, and set out to create her legacy. Her book compiled many recipes which she vigorously tested before they ended up in the collection. It has since been suggested that Isabella Beeton most likely never employed a professional cook, meaning that the rigorous testing of all of her recipes was ‘either carried out by herself alone, or with the help of a general servant with no particular kitchen skills.’ 

The Victorians are known to us to today for their stiff upper lips, and desire to reveal very little of themselves. Isabella simultaneously conformed to and completely rejected this Victorian ideal. Paradoxically, she did not live up the expected domestic housewife role, but she actively helped promote the ideal. Similarly in terms of her private life there was a distinct difference in her and her husband’s courtship and the image they projected of themselves. 

Kathryn Hughes has conducted extensive research into Mrs. Beeton. She holds a PhD in Victorian History from Oxford University, and is currently a lecturer at the University of East Anglia as well as being a prominent journalist. Her work on Isabella Beeton was the main source of inspiration for the 2006 BBC TV-series on the woman. Kathryn Hughes’ research uncovered many private letters between the then unwedded Sam and Isabella which included ‘a code word for their stolen pats, kisses, hugs and squeezes.’ The fact that even in their private letters they still felt the need to adopt a code word, implies that adherence to a larger ideal of how one should behave, was important in the Victorian era. 

Isabella Beeton died young, poor, having suffered through the deaths of children and without having ever really lived as a “traditional” Victorian domestic heroine. Yet through clever marketing and the promotion of a Victorian ideal this is how she is remembered. Her writing lives on, altered and amended with each passing year, showing just how flexible and adaptable a public historical character can be.

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