Eglantyne Jebb was the founder of Save the Children, famously attesting to not caring much for children at a personal level. Her life is revealed to have been defined by intermingled humour and tragedy in this insightful biography revealing something of the development of charity in our contemporary understanding of it.
While working as a fundraiser at Save the Children Clare Mulley came across a note written eighty years earlier by the organisation's founder: 'the world is not ungenerous, but unimaginative, and very busy'. She has since been fascinated by Eglantyne, sleeping in her childhood nursery, rifling through her journals, and even buying her signature on eBay.
Clare Mulley is also the author of The Spy Who Loved and The Women Who Flew for Hitler. She is the mother of three daughters and currently lives in Essex, England.
Eglantyne Jebb was the founder of Save the Children, famously attesting to not caring much for children at a personal level. Her life is revealed to have been defined by intermingled humour and tragedy in this insightful biography revealing something of the development of charity in our contemporary understanding of it.
While working as a fundraiser at Save the Children Clare Mulley came across a note written eighty years earlier by the organisation's founder: 'the world is not ungenerous, but unimaginative, and very busy'. She has since been fascinated by Eglantyne, sleeping in her childhood nursery, rifling through her journals, and even buying her signature on eBay.
Clare Mulley is also the author of The Spy Who Loved and The Women Who Flew for Hitler. She is the mother of three daughters and currently lives in Essex, England.
Presents the adventures and tribulations of Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children.
Clare Mulley joined Save the Children as a corporate fundraiser in the 1990s. She is the mother of three daughters and currently lives in Essex, UK. While working as a fundraiser at Save the Children Clare Mulley came across a note written eighty years earlier by the organisation’s founder: ‘the world is not ungenerous, but unimaginative, and very busy’. She has since been fascinated by Eglantyne, sleeping in her childhood nursery, rifling through her journals, and even buying her signature on eBay.
"Here is the story of one of the great women of the world who made
a real difference to the lives of the most needy children. Told
with Clare Mulley’s sure instinct for the lives of others, this is
an extraordinary book about a unique woman, a woman for our
times."
*Michael Morpurgo*
“An insightful biography of a truly remarkable woman. This portrait
is especially poignant 100 years on when Eglantyne’s mission
remains as relevant and urgent as ever. We must not forget this
woman’s determination, and what she set out to achieve. Her vision
serves as an inspiration as we each do our bit for children less
fortunate than our own”.
*Natasha Kaplinsky*
"A pleasure to read...a combination of Jebb's own mischievous
attitude and Mulley's lively style."
*The Times Literary Supplement*
"A very good read, telling an extraordinary story."
*The Guardian*
"Unusual and perceptive...all credit to Clare Mulley, a past winner
of the Daily Mail Biographers' Club prize."
*Daily Mail*
“This centenary edition celebrates the life of an indomitable
woman. Compellingly written and meticulously researched, this
biography is a monument to extraordinary perseverance. Eglantyne
Jebb, without any children herself, actually gave her life to stop
children being the innocent victims of adult war. I wish she were
here today!”
*Joely Richardson*
"Brings to life the world of clever and conscientious
upper-middle-class women... A valuable account of a forgotten
life."
*The Sunday Times*
"Eglantyne Jebb completely revolutionised public perceptions of
charity and our collective responsibility towards children. This
excellent book makes plain that Eglantyne's vision is just as
powerful - and relevant - today as it was then... Those who read
this book will be inspired - as I am - by a woman who dared to
think the impossible and turn it into reality. Her example lays
down a challenge to us all."
*Jasmine Whitbread , former CEO of Save the Children UK*
"Wonderful, clever and funny, Clare Mulley's lively and intimate
biography brings out the humour, inconsistency, willfullness and
just excellent energy of Eglantyne."
*Alexander Masters, author of Stuart: A Life Backwards*
“This is a truly brilliant book, about a woman who changed the
world for the better and forever."
*Gordon Brown*
"Kept me up half the night - really fascinating and moving -
beautifully written and paced…wonderful."
*Richard Holmes, prize-winning biographer and author of The Age
of Wonder*
"A wonderful biography... All of us who continue to build on
Eglantyne’s vision are in your debt for giving us the real human
being who inspires our work."
*Charlie MacCormack, former CEO of Save the Children USA*
"This book tells the tale of one of the twentieth century's most
inspirational women... I'd urge anyone to pick up this book and be
inspired."
*Paul O'Grady*
"Beautifully constructed and passionately written...evocative,
funny and poignant."
*Big Issue*
"A crisp, masterly biography."
*The Good Book Guide*
"An interesting biography of a fascinating person who deserves to
be better known and appreciated for her work."
*Oxford Times*
"This biography of Eglantyne Jebb, who established the charity to
look after children in the chaos that followed the end of the First
World War, brings to life a charismatic woman who changed the way
the world treats children."
*Waterstone's Books Quarterly*
"Sensitive, entertaining and beautifully written, The Woman Who
Saved the Children is an absorbing exploration of a life filled
with achievement... A sparkling biography of a fascinating
woman."
*Kate Williams, author of England’s Mistress and Becoming
Queen*
"Meticulously researched...a testimony to Jebb's remarkable
humanitarianism."
*Oxford Today*
"A very readable story which will strike a chord for many."
*The Times*
"A fascinating new book."
*Western Mail Series*
"A most interesting account of a life full of colour and
curiosity."
*Bury Free Press series*
"Admirably researched... Clare Mulley has done Eglantyne proud. Her
informative and sensitively written biography will put SCF's
founder, and through her SCF itself, well and truly on the global
map."
*Church Times*
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