John Brown

This readable book well illustrates the relationship, with ample quotations from the Queen's diary and from remarks of those who knew both parties well. How was a mere servant allowed to address the Queen of Great Britain, the Empress of India, as "wumman"? A century has passed since the death of Queen Victoria, yet the controversy about her relationship with John Brown still rages. Queen Victoria rued the scandalous newspaper coverage and the vicious rumours about herself and Brown, but how true were they? This, the first biography of John Brown in over thirty years throws fresh light on their relationship. In examining Brown's life outside the royal circle and his climb from stable boy to the most influential member of the Scottish Royal Household, the man behind the mythical figure stands revealed.