Emma Gifford Hardy

Too often remembered only as Thomas Hardy’s first wife, Emma Gifford Hardy, the inspiration behind his most beloved poetry or the 'madwoman' of his later years, has long been a footnote in literary history. But there’s so much more to her story. In this new biography, which draws on her surviving writings, personal letters and travel diaries, Emma Gifford Hardy steps out from behind her famous husband’s shadow as a woman who was clever, complex, and unapologetically herself. She travelled with curiosity, read voraciously, and dreamed of becoming a writer in her own right. With warmth, empathy, and a fresh eye, this book reclaims Emma’s narrative and restores her to the centre of her own story, whilst also providing a different insight into the life of Thomas Hardy by exploring her influence on him and his works.