Hazel: A Life of Lady Lavery, 1880-1935

by Sinead McCoole

This first biography of a pioneering Irish woman, wife of the great painter, sheds new light on the personal lives of some of Ireland's most revered patriots, including Michael Collins.

Born into a wealthy Chicago-Irish family, Hazel Martyn studied art and made regular visits to France where she fell in love with the Belfast-born painter, John Lavery, twenty-four years her senior. After the death of her first husband (it was a marriage arranged by her mother), she married Lavery and they settled in London. There her popularity and beauty became legendary, their home frequented as a salon. Guests included Churchill, Asquith, Bernard Shaw, J.M. Barrie, Maugham, and Evelyn Waugh.

A growing interest in Irish politics often brought the Laverys to Dublin, where Hazel began to assist the national cause. Her London home played host to the historical Anglo-Irish Conference of 1921. Famed for her friendship and love for Michael Collins, she was credited by many with staging the signing of the Treaty. When Civil War broke out, the Laverys moved to Dublin, her husband to paint the historical events, she to continue her relationship with Collins. After his assassination she continued to fight for his cause despite threats and comparisons to Kitty O'Shea. Watching de Valera dismantle the Treaty and the diplomatic links she had worked so hard to establish, Hazel died at fifty five, believing her life utterly without purpose. She received her token of appreciation from the Irish government when they used her portrait on the currency, and it remains in use today as a ghostly watermark.

Although commemorated in over 400 paintings by her husband, Lady Lavery's life has remained quite secret until this biography. Drawing on interviews with Lavery's acquaintances and her daughter Alice, and making use for the first time of a unique cache of private correspondence and scrapbooks, Sinead McCoole has been able to reconstructed the life of one of modern Ireland's most fascinating women.

Genres: Biography, Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Claire O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Whilst Hazel Lavery did indeed lead an interest life, and mix with many important people, this book failed to bring it all to life and grab my attention.

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and finally decided to read it through, having only read the bits pertaining to Michael Collins for research purposes. The thorough research and fine presentation is evident on every page though I did feel it lacked a certain spark but this did not deter my interest. I am not sure if I liked Lady Lavery or not but I do have a newfound appreciation for what she did or tried to do for Ireland -particularly in relation to her husband's Irish collection being donated to an Irish gallery. Such a shame that she revisited her misery, caused by her mother's hatred of Lavery, upon her daughter and the man she wanted to marry. I found myself admiring Alice for taking matters into her own hand and, actually, would have liked to know a lot more about her too. All in all, an interesting read about a complicated woman as well as providing an good insight into Irish and British politics.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her picture was once on the Irish pound. She was painted hundreds of times by her adoring husband, a successful portrait painter. She helped to bring Winston Churchill and Michael Collins together to discuss the Irish Free State. These are her claims to fame. She also doesn't seem like a very pleasant person. She didn't get along well with other women but very well with men, especially when she was a young beauty. Her husband tolerated her crushes, her flirtatious ways and biting wit. She was born in America but much preferred Ireland. She died a painful death, a different one from her two martyred heroes, Collins and Kevin O'Higgins. This biography gives her a fair hearing and in the process tells a lot about an important period of Irish history.

[Clare Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting woman, born in America, became an artist, married John Lavery and was at the centre of the social activities during the negotiation for Home Rule for Ireland in 1920s. Debatable as to whether she was in a relationship with Michael Collins and Kevin O'Higgins. A fascinating character.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-researched and engaging book on a fascinating figure in Ireland's history. Took off a star for typos in the text but it is a very enjoyable and useful resource for those interested in Irish history or art, and just a generally well-written biography.

[elise barber-wixtrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

not at all a critical look. gave me bad vibes (not a professional opinion). weirdly dismissive of kitty kiernan. didn't like it very much