Piozzi has remained a polarizing figure for over two centuries. Over the years, her rebellions have been cited repeatedly as proof that Piozzi was graceless, vain, and self-centered. But even a short description of a few of them is enough to inspire admiration to a modern reader (or perhaps I’m just telling on myself ). There is some justification for either interpretation, as this oft-quoted 1781 passage from her journal captures: “Miss Owen & Miss Burney asked me if I had never been in Love; with myself, said I, & most passionately. when any Man likes me I never am surprized, for I think how
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