Portraits

portraits

Russell Leffingwell – guardian of the American century

As chairman of JP Morgan and of the US Council on Foreign Relations, Leffingwell epitomised the public-service ethos of America's mid-century elite.

Kenneth Weisbrode April 16, 2021

portraits

Tobias Smollett – a life in caricature

Early champion of the grotesque style, Tobias Smollett's life was as raucous as his literary creations.

Malcolm Forbes April 9, 2021

portraits

Mary of Burgundy – princess testament to doomed youth

The tragedy of Mary of Burgundy, snubbed heiress to one of Europe's great dynasties, echoes down the ages.

Bruce Anderson March 29, 2021

portraits

Fritz Mannheimer – stockbroker of peace

The German-born Jewish emigré found riches as a clever banker in inter-war Amsterdam. He was soon to find a higher purpose for his accounting skills: the fight against fascism in E..

Nicholas Mulder March 24, 2021

portraits

Tsiang Tingfu – pre-revolutionary China’s last bridge with the West

The American-educated diplomat and historian sought Chinese national revival on cosmopolitan lines, but Mao's revolution led to exile as mainland China was closed off to the world.

Rana Mitter March 9, 2021

portraits

Christopher Lasch – contrarian critic of America’s elites

Critical of capitalism and of social liberalism, Lasch interrogated America’s national character during an era of profound change – and his prescient ideas are even more relevant t..

Matthew Goodwin March 3, 2021

portraits

Jesse Ventura – the wrestling governor who blazed a trail for Trump

The former Navy SEAL and WWE champion won Minnesota’s governorship in 1999 on an anti-elite ticket. His transition from showbiz to politics was a precursor of the age of Trump – bu..

Dominic Sandbrook February 25, 2021

portraits

Mimi Baez Fariña – life beyond the 60s

The lost folk singer Mimi Fariña's career shows the story of the 'greatest decade' of the 20th century in a new light.

Francesca Peacock February 15, 2021

portraits

Giovannino Guareschi: Italian Orwell

In his contrarian pamphlets and sketches, Guareschi earned his reputation as an uncompromising critic of Italy’s post-war decadence.

Tobias Jones February 12, 2021