In twentieth-century Britain, the Mitford family became linked with the rise of fascism. Diana Guinness, the most glamorous of the sisters, married Oswald Mosley, founder of the British Union of Fascists, in Berlin on October 6, 1936, with Adolf Hitler as a guest. Two days earlier, Mosley had faced significant opposition at the Battle of Cable Street, where anti-fascists blocked his march through a Jewish district of London.
Unity, Diana’s younger sister, immersed herself in Nazi ideology, even befriending Hitler. Following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany in September 1939, Unity attempted suicide but survived with lasting injuries, prompting Hitler to send her flowers in the hospital. Meanwhile, Jessica “Decca” Mitford, the fifth sister, grew up with Unity and developed opposing beliefs, representing a fascination with socialism.
Jessica later criticized both Diana and Mosley for their fascist affiliations, arguing against their release during their internment in WWII. She distinguished herself from her family, becoming a major anti-fascist thinker and a prolific investigative journalist in the U.S. Kaplan’s new biography, Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford, highlights Jessica’s political writings and opposition to her family’s far-right beliefs.
Entranced by socialism, she married Esmond Romilly, Churchill’s cousin, and became involved in the Spanish Civil War. After Romilly’s presumed death in WWII, Jessica continued her activism and writing, aligning with civil rights causes in America. She critiqued the exploitative practices of U.S. industries, particularly healthcare and funeral services, highlighting the intersection of capitalism and vulnerability.
Kaplan portrays Jessica as a caring but often distracted mother, balancing her political commitments with a vibrant social life. Her legacy encompasses a deep critique of undemocratic systems and a relentless pursuit of justice, illustrating a lifelong struggle against her aristocratic origins for a more equitable world.
