The Case of the Married Woman

Caroline Norton and Her Fight for Justice for Women

By: Antonia Fraser

Narrated by: Penelope Milton

Caroline Norton dazzled nineteenth-century society with her vivacity, her intelligence, her poetry, and in her role as an artist's muse. After her marriage in 1828 to the MP George Norton, she continued to attract friends and admirers to her salon in Westminster. Most prominent among her admirers was the widowed Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne.

Racked with jealousy, George Norton took the Prime Minister to court, suing him for damages on account of his adultery with Caroline. A dramatic trial followed. Despite the unexpected and sensational result—acquittal—Norton was still able to legally deny Caroline access to her children. He also claimed her income as an author for himself, since the copyrights of a married woman belonged to her husband.

Yet, Caroline refused to despair. Beset by the personal cruelties perpetrated by her husband and a society whose rules were set against her, she chose to fight. She channeled her energies in an area of much-needed reform: the rights of a married woman and specifically those of a mother. She campaigned tirelessly, achieving her first landmark victory with the Infant Custody Act of 1839. Provisions which are now taken for granted owe much to Caroline, who was determined to secure justice for women at all levels of society from the privileged to the dispossessed.

©2022 Antonia Fraser (P)2022 Tantor

Great narrative and social history

Fraser does a great job illustrating the sociopolitical landscape of Victorian Britain through the narrative of Caroline Norton’s life. Overall, this was a moving story of a woman who fought for her rights in a world that did not recognize her existence. She recognized a truth about policy/advocacy that remains true today: the hinges of justice turn on the stories of individuals who are brave enough to speak up.

Well told! Well researched! And well written.

I am such a huge fan of Antonio Fraser, and I am happy that I found this book. I had just listened to her beautifully written book about her marriage to Harold Pinter…. Must you go?  And this book is about a very unhappy marriage, endured by a powerless, beautiful and talented woman. The misogyny of English law is on full view here. Let none of us forget how recently women have been granted the right to vote, to own property, and to be counted as a human. I think young women should read this just to be reminded.

but at a time when people have forgotten how lucky they are to live in a democracy I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Thank you, Antonio Fraser, for riding this book!