Before there was Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey," there was "To Marry an English Lord."
"To Marry an English Lord," written in 1989 by Carol Wallace and Gail MacColl, chronicles the time from 1874 to 1910, when scores of America's wealthy heiresses crossed the Atlantic seeking marriage to titled English gentlemen just before and during the turn of the 20th century.
The book inspired the popular show "Downton Abbey," according to a news release. Historic Bethlehem will host Wallace for a talk and tea Wednesday. Tickets cost $25 for Historic Bethlehem Partnership members; $35 for nonmembers.
"This was a historical phenomenon during a time when the United States' (power) and acumen was rising and strong, just before the first World War," Wallace explains.
The New York Times bestselling author says she is fascinated by this particular time period for several reasons. "It was a radical time of change, not unlike the changes we are seeing today. There was amazing wealth, power and privilege and luxury," Wallace says.
Wallace says the reissue of the book is a pleasant surprise with the popularity of the popular BBC program "Downton Abbey," which was inspired by the book she co-wrote with her friend and former colleague MacColl.
"In no way did Julian Fellowes (Downton's creator) plagiarize from the book. He just took this historical period of time and the facts, and he was inspired by the book to create Cora and take her journey one step further," Wallace says.
Wallace says while she and Fellowes have not met, they have corresponded via email and that when he was originally asked by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) to create a series, he was reading "this marvelous book."
"To Marry an English Lord" was the book Fellowes was reading, according to Wallace.
Wallace is quick to draw parallels between the turn of the 20th Century and the digital revolution of the 21st Century.
"I think one of the reasons 'Downton' has hit such a chord with Americans is because we are fascinated with the world of privilege. That (early 1910s) was a gilded age and we are also living in a gilded age today," Wallace explains.
"Downton Abbey" is a British period television series, set in Highclere Castle, in the English countryside and available on Public Broadcasting Service affiliates.
Known as the "Dollar Princesses," more than 350 American women married into the British aristocracy, according to an article printed in London newspaper "The Daily Mail."
Nearly a century before The Beatles led the British Invasion and a revolutionary brand of popular music flowed into America, the "Dollar Princesses" led an American Invasion across the Atlantic in search of high society, titled privilege and a lifestyle beyond imagination.
"We are thrilled to have Carol Wallace visit the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts in Historic Bethlehem," says Mary Mulder, Historic Bethlehem Partnership events manager.
"Carol's book deals directly with the social customs and etiquette of the time period represented by many of the pieces in our exquisite collection. We look forward to having her share her wit and wisdom with us as we further Historic Bethlehem's mission of bringing history to life," Mulder says.
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If you go
"To Marry an English Lord" author Carol Wallace will offer a talk along with proper English tea from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday (May 28) inside the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts.
Cost $25 for Historic Bethlehem Partnership members, $35 for nonmembers.
For reservations call 610-882-0450, or for more information visit the Historic Bethlehem website at historicbethlehem.org.