Dame Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) was an exceptional woman in an age rich in strong personalities. A feminist, intrepid traveller and sportswoman, she wrote nine volumes of autobiography, recounting a life packed with incident. Her writings, abridged by Ronald Crichton, and including a catalogue of her music, are full of brilliant portraits.

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Dame Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) was a composer and leading member of the Suffragette movement, for whom she composed 'The March of the Women', which became their anthem. Her works included chamber pieces, symphonies, choral works and operas, most notably The Wreckers. Her music is currently enjoying a revival and her Concerto for Horn and Violin was performed at the 2008 Promenade Concerts.Ronald Crichton (1913-2005) was for many years on the staff of the British Council, before becoming music critic of the Financial Times, a post he held during the 1960s and 1970s. He was the author of several books, including Manuel de Falla: Descriptive Catalogue of His Works (Chester Music, 1976), and he abridged and introduced The Memoirs of Ethel Smyth (Viking, 1987).