Soldier of Fortune; The Fearless Agnes of Salm-Salm



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Enter (In to marriage) At Your Own Risk

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I recently stumbled across the story of one Henrietta (Harriet) Ely Blackford, aka Fanny Lear, and while not much is know about her, what tidbits I found made for a fascinating story. Born in 1848 in Philadelphia to a respectable minister and his wife, she at sometime became the first real American courtesan. As she was a divorcee, most likely she became a courtesan as society would have closed their doors to her. Or, its entirely possible that it was her behavior that led to her being divorced. In any case she became quite notorious in America, and with the threat of arrest over her head she fled to Europe. It was in Europe she met the Grand Duke Nicholas, grandson of Tsar Nicholas I, and nephew of the reigning Tsar, Alexander III. The Grand Duke must have been truly smitten with Harriet and he gave her a diamond necklace that he had stolen from his own mother. Even more misguided, he wanted to marry Harriet, and even had the affront to request permission from his uncle, Tsar A
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Who's On First?

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An American Princess

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