Lisabeth De Gramont

Passions

Vocation

Family

French writer of the early 20th century, best known for her long-term lesbian relationship with Natalie Clifford Barney. A descendant of Henry IV of France, Élisabeth de Gramont had grown up among the highest aristocracy. She looked back on this world of wealth and privilege with little regret, and became known as the "red duchess" for her support of socialism. She was a close friend, and sometimes critic of writer Marcel Proust, whom she had met on 9 June 1903. Barney and Élisabeth, Duchess de Clermont-Tonnerre, first met in the spring of 1909, and became lovers on 1 May 1910, a date that became their anniversary. Although neither was faithful to the other sexually, they were devoted to one another for their entire lives. She was married to Philibert, duc de Clermont-Tonnerre and had two daughters (born 1897 and 1902), when she met Barney. She was divorced in 1920. She participated in Popular Front parades, and supported politicians of the left. She died in Paris on 6 December 1954. Link to Wikipedia biography