Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden chooses Lady Hester Stanhope as a history hero
In profile
Lady Hester Stanhope was a writer, adventurer, traveller and archaeologist. The niece of prime minister William Pitt the Younger, she managed his 10 Downing Street household from 1804–06. After his death she began a life of adventure and travel, primarily in the Middle East, which she made her home. Her letters and memoirs made her famous as an explorer.
When did you first hear about Lady Stanhope?
I was looking for an unusual Christmas present for my husband, who’s a history buff, and I chanced upon a letter written by Lady Hester to Pitt the Younger – her uncle – when he was prime minister. I’d never heard about her before, and the more I learnt about her the more fascinated I became.
What kind of woman was she?
Lady Hester was privileged, strident, incredibly confident and clever – indeed Pitt once said of her: “I wish my generals had an ounce of the wit and intelligence of my niece!” She was also straight-talking, unconventional and brave to the point of fearless. Last, she was very tall – around six feet – for a woman at that time. And while I’m not sure if she was a nice person, she was an extraordinary human being.
What made her a hero?
During Pitt the Younger’s final years in Downing Street, she had been at the heart of power, becoming her bachelor uncle’s ‘hostess’ and trusted confidante. After his death in 1806 she could so easily have slipped back into doing what ladies did in those days: playing cards, sewing and knitting. But instead she embarked on a life of fearless adventure and became one of the great travellers of the age, defying convention and eventually making her home in a hilltop fort in what is now Lebanon.
What was Stanhope’s finest hour?
First, she’s credited by some with being a pioneering archaeologist, and her excavation at Ascalon – in modern-day Israel – is considered the first to use modern archaeological principles. Second, she became incredibly powerful and influential in the Middle East, brokering deals among the sultans – while at the same time showing great humanity by providing sanctuary to many people who would otherwise have lost their lives in an area riven by conflict. Last, I love the fact that this oh-so-brave woman refused to bow to convention, even adopting the outfit of Arab men: turban, robe and slippers.
Is there anything that you don’t particularly admire about her?
Confession time: I might admire this magnificent woman, but I don’t particularly like her. Being from such a privileged background, I suspect she would have been quite arrogant, so I’m not sure we would have got on.
What would you ask Stanhope if you could meet her?
I’d like to know if she had any regrets. I suspect not though; she strikes me as the kind of woman, rather like myself, who just goes on to the next challenge. I’m not a regrets kind of person either.
Deborah Meaden is best known for her role as an investor on the BBC One show Dragons’ Den. Her latest book is Why Money Matters, an illustrated non-fiction book about money for children (Red Shed).
This article was first published in the Christmas 2023 issue of BBC History Magazine