Sheila

The Australian beauty who bewitched British society

By: Robert Wainwright

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Paperback | 4 March 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
464 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
19.8 x 12.8

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Born on a NSW sheep station, Sheila wedded earls and barons, was feted by London and New York society, and when she died was a Russian princess.

'Wainwright has revived a legend.' The Lady on Sheila

'. . . her beauty and her boldness shine through this fascinating tale.' Sydney Morning Herald on Sheila

Sheila wedded earls and barons, befriended literary figures and movie stars, bedded a future king, was feted by London and New York society for forty years and when she died was a Russian princess.

Vivacious, confident and striking, Sheila Chisholm met her first husband, Francis Edward Scudamore St Clair-Erskine, a first lieutenant and son of the 5th Earl of Rosslyn, when she went to Egypt during the Great War to nurse her brother. Arriving in London as a young married woman, the world was at her feet - and she enjoyed it immensely. Edward, Prince of Wales, called her 'a divine woman' and his brother, Bertie, the future George VI of England (Queen Elizabeth's father), was especially close to her. She subsequently became Lady Milbanke and ended her days as Princess Dimitri of Russia. Sheila had torrid love affairs with Rudolph Valentino and Prince Obolensky of Russia and among her friends were Evelyn Waugh, Lord Beaverbrook and Wallis Simpson.

An extraordinary woman unknown to most Australians, Sheila is a spellbinding story of a unique time and a place and an utterly fascinating life.

About the Author

Robert Wainwright has been a journalist for 25 years, rising from the grassroots of country journalism in Western Australia to a senior writer with The Sydney Morning Herald. His career has ranged from politics to crime, always focussing on the people behind the major news of the day. He is the author of Rose: The unauthorised biography of Rose Hancock Porteous, The Lost Boy, The Killing of Caroline Byrne, Sheila, Rocky Road, Enid and Nellie.

Industry Reviews

'Wainwright has revived a legend.' - The Lady

'. . . her beauty and her boldness shine through this fascinating tale.' - Sydney Morning Herald

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