Elizabeth Bibesco: A Life of Literature and Wit


Full Name and Common Aliases


Elizabeth Bibesco was born Countess Louise de La Roche as a member of the Belgian nobility. She is more commonly known by her married name, Countess Elizabeth Bibesco.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on August 10, 1886, in Brussels, Belgium, Elizabeth Bibesco passed away on April 16, 1945, at the age of 58.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Bibesco was a Belgian-born British writer, best known for her novels, short stories, and autobiographical works. Her writing often explored themes of love, relationships, and social class.

Early Life and Background


Elizabeth Bibesco was born into an aristocratic family in Brussels. She was the daughter of Baron Édouard de Laroche and his wife, Countess Louise de Laroche. The young countess received a traditional education for women at the time, studying languages and literature. Her early life was marked by privilege but also tragedy when her father died when she was just 16 years old.

Major Accomplishments


Bibesco's writing career spanned several decades and included novels such as _The King's General_ , a historical romance set during the English Civil War, and _A Ship of War_, which explores themes of love and duty. Her autobiographical work, _I, Elizabeth_, provides insight into her life and experiences.

Notable Works or Actions


Bibesco's writing often drew on her own life experiences, including her tumultuous marriage to Prince Louis de Grèce, a member of the Greek royal family. Her novels and short stories frequently explored themes of love, relationships, and social class. Through her work, Bibesco aimed to shed light on the lives and experiences of women in society.

Impact and Legacy


Bibesco's writing has had a lasting impact on literature, particularly in the areas of historical romance and autobiographical works. Her novels continue to be widely read today for their engaging stories and exploration of themes that remain relevant in contemporary society. Despite facing personal struggles and social constraints during her lifetime, Bibesco left behind a legacy as a talented writer who gave voice to the experiences of women.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Elizabeth Bibesco's writing continues to be widely read today for its insightful exploration of love, relationships, and social class. Her autobiographical work provides a unique glimpse into her life and experiences, making her a fascinating figure in literary history. Through her novels and short stories, Bibesco shed light on the lives and experiences of women in society, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a writer who gave voice to those who often remained silent.

Quotes by Elizabeth Bibesco

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Perfect moments don’t turn into half-hours.
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The Ten Commandments don’t tell you what you ought to do: They only put ideas into your head.
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Influencing people is dangerous. Their acts and thoughts become your illegitimate children. You can’t get away from them and Heaven knows what they mayn’t grow up into.
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Happiness is the moment when you cease to make an inventory of joys; it is a glow, a brightness – never a list...
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My soul has gained the freedom of the night.
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It is never good dwelling on good-byes," she said, "it is not the being together that it prolongs, it is the parting
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Seeing through is rarely seeing into.
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The image of ourselves in the minds of others is the picture of a stranger we shall never see.
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It is never good dwelling on good-byes ... it is not the being together that it prolongs, it is the parting.
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To others we are not ourselves but a performer in their lives cast for a part we do not even know that we are playing.
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