Jessica Mitford

Date of Birth: September 11, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 22, 1996

Biography

Jessica Mitford, born Jessica Lucy Freeman-Mitford, was a prominent British-American journalist, author, and civil rights activist. She was born into the aristocratic Mitford family, known for their diverse political affiliations and public lives. Jessica, affectionately known as “Decca,” was the sixth of seven children. She became known for her investigative journalism and her critiques of American society. Jessica’s early life was marked by her rebellious nature. She eloped with her first cousin, Esmond Romilly, and moved to Spain during the Spanish Civil War to support the Republican cause. After Romilly’s death in World War II, Jessica moved to the United States, where she married civil rights lawyer Robert Treuhaft. Her most famous work, “The American Way of Death,” published in 1963, exposed the funeral industry’s exploitative practices and became a bestseller. Throughout her career, Jessica Mitford remained a staunch advocate for civil rights and social justice. She continued writing, lecturing, and participating in political activism until her death in 1996.

5 Interesting Facts about Jessica Mitford

1. Jessica Mitford was a member of the famous Mitford sisters, a group of six siblings noted for their beauty, eccentricity, and controversial political affiliations.

2. Her book “The American Way of Death” led to substantial reforms in the funeral industry and is considered a landmark in investigative journalism.

3. Jessica was an active member of the American Communist Party for several years during the 1940s and 1950s.

4. She was a key figure in the civil rights movement, working closely with organizations like the NAACP and participating in various protests and sit-ins.

5. Mitford once worked as a clerk for the Office of Price Administration in Washington, D.C., during World War II, where she met her second husband, Robert Treuhaft.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jessica Mitford

1. “You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the guilty.”

2. “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”

3. “The great advantage of living in a large family is that early lesson of life’s essential unfairness.”

4. “Gracious dying is a huge, macabre, and expensive joke on the American public.”

5. “Objectivity is the essence of the scientific method; it is the essence of journalism.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jessica Mitford’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from her successful books and journalism career.

Children

Jessica Mitford had two children: Julia Romilly, from her first marriage to Esmond Romilly, and Constancia Romilly, also known as Dinky, from her second marriage to Robert Treuhaft.