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Who is Virginia Crawford?

Virginia Mary Smith Crawford (1862-1948) was a prolific author, journalist, feminist and advocate for women’s rights in the Catholic Church and society.

In addition to intellectual endeavors, she was famous for an extramarital affair in 1882 with Sir Charles Dilke, a prominent politician who previously had an affair with her mother. The complicated scandal led to her divorce and disruptied Dilke’s career.

George Moore was introduced to her in the 1890s by journalist W.T. Stead, who recommended her as a subject-matter expert on conventual life. They became dear friends; she gave editorial assistance during his composition of Evelyn Innes and most of the books that followed. She likewise assisted his biographer Joseph Hone.

While situated in Dublin in the early 1900s, George was sometimes Virginia’s guest at 105 Marylebone Road in London.