An Unofficial 'The MeatEater Podcast' Reading List
607. Nelson’s Lover: The Scandalous Lady Hamilton
October 08, 2025
Description
Books Referenced
Author: Kate Williams
Context:
Tom explicitly references this biography of Emma Hamilton multiple times, calling it 'fantastic' and noting that Kate Williams wrote her PhD on Emma Hamilton. The book is quoted to describe Emma's birthplace, her childhood, and various aspects of her life.
Author: William Hayley
Context:
Referenced as 'the poet William Haley, who wrote a biography of Romney in 1809' - this is a biography of the painter George Romney, quoted to describe Emma's expressive abilities.
Author: Vic Gattrell
Context:
Described as 'the great historian of Georgian culture' and quoted regarding Covent Garden being 'the world's first creative bohemia.' This appears to be from one of his works on Georgian England.
Author: Gillian Russell
Context:
Referenced as 'the historian Gillian Russell' and quoted on Emma Hamilton's influence on the cultural movement that became romanticism.
Author: John Sugden
Context:
Quoted as describing King Ferdinand IV as 'a boisterous, big featured buffoon' - likely from one of his historical works, possibly his Nelson biography.