The relationship with Mary Trevelyan is discussed in detail by Lyndall Gordon in her biography. Also, Trevelyan kept a memoir of it, though I have not seen it. But the relationship has been known about at least since Gordon in 1998. She proposed to him by the way, and was turned down, I think more than once. But they spent a lot of time together.
Cheers,
Nancy
>>> David Boyd <[log in to unmask]>11/12/12 11:07 AM >>>
Thank you, CR, an exceedingly well-informed and lucid commentary. Eg Ron Schuchard recently once mentioned Eliot's correspondence with Mary Trevelyan on the prospect of marriage, but don't think it was generally known-about in any detail.
The only inaccuracy I think is that Valerie / the Eliot Estate forbade Ackroyd from quoting *any* part of Eliot's work or correspondence.
Incidentally YouTube has a 2009 BBC TV 'Arena' Documentary, which features many of Valerie's lovingly-preserved scrapbooks recording their life together; her charm bracelets etc etc - it's very touching / fascinating.
On 11 November 2012 19:00, Chokh Raj
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
and a very painstaking, insightful write-up in The Telegraph
CR
some details in this news
CR
Subject: Valerie Eliot
Dear Colleagues,
I have just received the sad news that the BBC has announced the passing of Valerie Eliot. I do not have any further information but will share it as received. In her memory, and in appreciation for her life, and for all her husband’s work that she has placed in our care, Ron