Skip to content
You are not logged in |Login  
     
Limit search to available items
Record:   Prev Next
Resources
More Information
Bestseller
BestsellerE-book
Author Elson, Jean, 1948- author.

Title Gross misbehavior and wickedness : a notorious divorce in early twentieth-century America / Jean Elson.

Publication Info. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Temple University Press, 2017.
©2017

Item Status

Description 1 online resource (325 pages)
text file
Summary "The bitter and public court battle waged between Nina and James Walker of Newport, Rhode Island from 1909 to 1916 created a sensation throughout the nation with lurid accounts of--and gossip about--their marital troubles. The ordeal of this high-society couple, who wed as much for status as for love, is one of the prime examples of the growing trend of women seeking divorce during the early twentieth century. Gross Misbehavior and Wickedness--the charges Nina levied at James for his adultery (with the family governess) and extreme cruelty--recounts the protracted legal proceedings in juicy detail. Jean Elson uses court documents, correspondence, journals, and interviews with descendants to recount the salacious case. In the process, she underscores how divorce--in an era when women needed husbands for economic support--was associated with women's aspirations for independence and rights. The Walkers' dispute, replete with plot twists and memorable characters, sheds light on a critical period in the evolution of American culture"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents Coming together and coming apart -- The perfect couple? a dissenting note -- Early days : Winter 1897-Summer 1905 -- A series of temporary truces : Summer 1905-Summer 1909 -- The beginning of the end : Summer 1909-February 1911 -- Some cases are simple, this one is not : March 1911 -- Conflicting testimonies : March 1911 -- A baffling piece of new evidence : Spring 1911-December 1912 -- More trials and tribulations : January 1913-November 12, 1913 -- A question of virginity -- "Gross misbehavior and wickedness" : December 6, 1913-December 4, 1916.
Local Note eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America
Subject Walker, Nina Chinn, 1873-1947 -- Trials, litigation, etc.
Walker, Nina Chinn, 1873-1947.
Walker, J. W. G. (James Wilson Grimes), 1868-1950 -- Trials, litigation, etc.
Walker, J. W. G. (James Wilson Grimes), 1868-1950.
Trials (Divorce) -- Rhode Island.
Trials (Divorce)
Rhode Island.
Trials (Adultery) -- Rhode Island.
Trials (Adultery)
Divorce suits -- Rhode Island.
Divorce suits.
Divorce -- Law and legislation -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
United States.
Chronological Term 20th century
Subject Women -- United States -- Social conditions -- History -- 20th century.
Social conditions.
Divorce -- Law and legislation.
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Women's Studies.
History.
LAW -- Gender & the Law.
Women.
LAW -- Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice.
Trials.
Women -- Social conditions.
Chronological Term 1900-1999
Genre/Form Electronic books.
History.
Subject Women.
Womyn.
Other Form: Print version: Elson, Jean, 1948- Gross misbehavior and wickedness. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Temple University Press, [2017] 9781439913901 (DLC) 2016050529
ISBN 9781439913925 (electronic book)
1439913927 (electronic book)
9781439913901 (hardcover ; alkaline paper)