Louisa Craven’s "footlights to riches" story, from Covent Garden actress to noble marriage, was widely reported. Equally infamous was her husband, Earl Craven, known for his affair with Regency courtesan Harriette Wilson. Harriette also appears in our Rational Creatures shoot under her birth name, Dubouchet.

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Louisa exemplifies a woman from modest origins, supported by her family, who built a successful career. Her Covent Garden contract paid £10 weekly, an extraordinary sum when working-class salaries were £10 annually. This prominence drew Earl Craven’s attention, who wooed her and ultimately succeeded in marrying her.