An English Courtesan

Men prefer bad girls. The case of Harriette Wilson, a beautiful courtesan of the Regency shows this to be true. Harriette had an enviable life in many ways: a succession of wealthy and powerful lovers, high society style and fame. However, she also suffered great financial insecurity when her lovers would not provide for her after they left her and she lost the only man that she truly loved.

Born in London, Harriette was the daughter of a Swiss clock maker. He had a large family and money was very tight. Ambitious and clever as well as very appealing to men, young Harriette decided to use these qualities to her advantage. Her pretty sisters also saw sleeping with wealthy men as the way to fortune and at least three of her many sisters also became courtesans. Sister Sophia was the luckiest - unusually for a courtesan, she married her aristocratic protector and became Lady Berwick.

Harriette started very young. Seduced at 15 by Lord Craven, she became the Duke of Argyle's mistress for a long time. Hardly shy and demure, Harriette even asked the Prince of Wales to have an affair with her. No-one could say that she didn't aim high! The love of her life was Lord Ponsonby, who left her for her sister Fanny. Although Harriette married later the marriage was unhappy and she probably never really got over the handsome lord who loved to wander in the parks with his Newfoundland dog.

The Duke of Wellington was Harriette's most famous lover, but she didn't have much time for him. She stayed with him for years, but said that he looked like a 'ratcatcher'. His jealousy and limited conversation annoyed her, but he was incredibly wealthy.

Harriette sounds like an interesting and witty woman, the kind of person who might well have a high-flying career if she lived today. Perhaps she would still use her appeal to find a wealthy man who would 'take care' of her. Most of her lovers were married or married heiresses, but it is arguable that Harriette would have better luck today and be able to marry a rich and powerful man who would suit her. There are many anecdotes about this beauty who always dressed in white and wore diamonds. Two of the more interesting are that she always went to bed elegantly dressed in case she died in her sleep and that she swallowed a troublesome IOU.

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