Rosina Bulwer-Lytton’s Blighted Life (Part 1)

Summary

Stuff You Missed in History Class: Rosina Bulwer-Lytton’s Blighted Life (Part 1)
Released on June 23, 2025 by iHeartPodcasts

---

Introduction to Rosina Bulwer-Lytton

In the inaugural part of the two-part series, hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry delve into the tumultuous life of Rosina Doyle Wheeler, the wife of the renowned 19th-century novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Initially captivated by Edward's infamous opening line, "It was a dark and stormy night," Tracy and Holly transition to exploring the intricate dynamics of Rosina's life, highlighting her struggle within a loveless and abusive marriage.

Early Life and Family Background

Rosina Doyle Wheeler's Origins
Rosina was born on November 4, 1802, in County Limerick, Ireland, to Frances Massey Wheeler and Anna Doyle Wheeler. Of six children, only Rosina and her sister Henrietta survived infancy.

Influence of Her Mother, Anna Doyle Wheeler
Rosina's mother, Anna, was a progressive thinker—“clever, witty, well-read, and extremely beautiful” ([05:22]). Anna was self-educated, immersing herself in French philosophy and the works of Mary Wollstonecraft. She co-authored "Appeal of One Half of the Human Race Women against the Pretensions of the Other," advocating for cooperative socialism and women's rights ([06:04]).

Tracy V. Wilson ([07:01]): "The interests of men and women are so involved in each other that political power possessed by the one must be impartially used for the benefit of both."

These progressive ideals profoundly influenced Rosina, shaping her perspectives on marriage and women's autonomy in a male-dominated society.

Meeting Edward Bulwer-Lytton

First Encounters and Correspondence
In October 1825, Rosina met Edward George Earl Lytton Bulwer, a charismatic dandy and intellectual freshly returned from France ([16:24]). Edward's letters to Rosina reveal a man deeply enamored with her:

Edward (Excerpt from Letter [17:32]): "I have twice begun to write and twice I have destroyed what I have written... From the first moment I saw you, I was attracted towards you."

His affectionate terminology, such as "My dearest Rose" and "darlingest Poodle," showcased his intense dedication, though some listeners found his language “embarrassing and cringy” ([19:29]).

Engagement and Marriage

Challenges Ahead
Rosina and Edward became engaged in 1826, but their path was fraught with obstacles. Edward's domineering mother, Elizabeth Warburton Lytton, vehemently disapproved of Rosina, partly due to societal norms and Rosina's fiery Irish heritage.

Financial and Social Strains
Upon their marriage on August 29, 1827, Edward's mother severed his financial support, leaving him reliant on his inheritance and writing ([25:10]). Rosina, though not impoverished, faced significant financial constraints and lacked substantial support.

Marital Struggles and Separation

Edward's Ambitions and Pressures
Edward aspired to enter politics, aiming for a seat in Parliament. However, he lacked the requisite income and property, leading him to rely heavily on his writing career. Rosina played a crucial role in assisting him, further straining their relationship.

Abuse and Infidelity
Rosina's accounts reveal a marriage marred by Edward's physical abuse and infidelity. During her pregnancy in 1828, Rosina alleged that Edward kicked her after she refused to retrieve a book for him ([31:07]).

Formal Separation
By April 19, 1836, irreparable differences led to their legal separation. The deed outlined Rosina's maintenance and support, though legally and economically, she remained dependent on Edward ([39:56]).

Rosina's Separation Letter ([40:33]): "Whereas unhappy differences have arisen and still subsist... they have agreed to live separate and apart from each other for the future."

Rosina's Resilience and Writing

Post-Separation Life
Despite the separation, Rosina continued to write, both as a means to support herself and as a vehicle to express her disdain for Edward. Her historical novel about Bianca Cappello, written in 1843, exemplifies her literary contributions during this challenging period.

Conclusion and Tease for Part 2

Tracy and Holly conclude Part 1 by outlining the severity of Rosina's situation post-separation and hinting at the ongoing abuse and Rosina's embittered writings to be explored in the next episode.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tracy V. Wilson ([02:17]): "Novelist Edward Bulwer Lytton has been lingering on my short list."

• Rosina on Neglect ([10:44]): "I soon became that most miserable of created beings, the neglected sister of a favorite and favored child."

• Edward's Affectionate Letters ([17:32], [18:52]):
  "From the first moment I saw you, I was attracted towards you."
  "Your kiss still dwells upon my lips... more treasures than an India sea."

• Rosina's Reflections on Separation ([37:40]): "I am now convinced of what I have long believed. I am only fit to live alone."

• Deed of Separation ([39:56]): "Whereas unhappy differences have arisen and still subsist... they have agreed to live separate and apart from each other for the future."

---

Final Thoughts

This episode paints a vivid picture of Rosina Bulwer-Lytton's early life, her marriage to Edward Bulwer-Lytton, and the beginnings of their strained relationship characterized by financial struggles, societal pressures, and personal turmoil. Rosina's resilience and her eventual turn to writing set the stage for the forthcoming exploration of her life post-separation in Part 2.

---

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Tracy and Holly will delve deeper into Rosina's life after the separation, exploring her continued struggles and literary endeavors.

Transcript

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Holly Fry]

Listen to your elders, honey. You might know them from their viral videos, but now the old gays are pulling back the curtain with their new podcast, Silver Linings with the Old Gays, brought to you in partnership with iHeart's Ruby Studio and Veeve Healthcare. Hosts Robert, Mick, Bill and Jesse serve their lifetime of wisdom when it comes to love, sex, community and whatever else they've got on the gay agenda. So check out Silver Linings with the old gays on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Enrique Santos]

According to Salt as wealth, 41% of high net worth individuals report having been victims of financial crime. Are you next? High profile individuals like you need more than off the shelf solutions. You need concierge digital security from Reputation Defender. It's not just another app. It's a team of experts using best in class tools to protect you and your family, covering virtually every aspect of your digital life. Visit reputationdefender.com success to learn more. That's Reputation Defender. In 2012, 16 year old Brian Herrera was gunned down in broad daylight on his way to do homework. No suspects, no witnesses, no justice.

[Holly Fry]

I would ask my husband, do you want me to stop? He was like, no, keep fighting.

[Enrique Santos]

After nearly a decade, a breakthrough changed everything. This is Cold Case Files Miami. Stories of families who never stopped fighting. Listen to Cold Case Files Miami on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lex Borrero]

Welcome to the you versus you podcast. I'm Lex Borrero inviting you to go beyond the titles and the accolades of the world's most successful entertainers. Each week we take off the cape and get real about the inner battles, childhood stories, and the moments that shaped our guests. Get inspired to become the best version of you. Listen to youo vs you podcast on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

[Holly Fry]

Welcome to Stuff youf Missed in History Class, a production of iHeartRadio.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Hello and welcome to the podcast. I'm Tracy V. Wilson.

[Holly Fry]

And I'm Holly Fry.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

If you're a regular listener to the show and you listen to the episodes in order, you have heard me talk about getting into a topic that was unwieldy and so I dropped it immediately to instead do an episode on electrocardiograms. Now we have come to the unwieldy topic for a very long time. Novelist Edward Bulwer Lytton has been lingering on my short list. His 1830 novel Paul Clifford started with the words it was a dark and stormy night. Believe it or not, he was not the first person ever to publish that phrase. But afterward it became widely used and reused and satirized and lampooned. And it even spawned the Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest for Bad First Sentences, which was held at San Jose State University for 42 years. I really knew zero about Edward Bulwer Lytton besides that one thing. And so I was just kind of like that guy. What was his deal there? He was on the shortlist. More recently, I was trying to figure out if I had access to enough information to do an episode on Bianca Capello, who was the 16th century Grand Duchess Consort of Tuscany. Her life is described as full of scandal. Horace Walpole, who we covered on the show back in October, was talking about a painting of her when he coined the word serendipity. So that quest led me to Edward Bulwer Lytton's wife Rosina, who wrote a historical novel about bianca Cappello in 1843. And it did not take long for Rosina to take her husband's place on my short list and then to move up to the top to do an episode. Edward is still a big part of this episode though, because it is really about their marriage and their separation. According to Rosina, Edward was abusive and he definitely had multiple affairs. And because married women in England really had no legal status independently of their husband, Rosina's options in this were incredibly limited. She wrote that novel because she was trying to make ends meet in the wake of their separation. This turned into a two parter. Today's episode is about Rosina's early life and the early years of her relationship with Edward up to their separation. Again, that story is going to involve abuse. And then on Wednesday we will talk about their decades of living in separation and Rosina's very embittered writing about it.

[Holly Fry]

Rosina Doyle Wheeler was born on November 4, 1802 in County Limerick, Ireland. She was the daughter of Frances Massey Wheeler and Anna Doyle Wheeler. Frances and Anna had six children together, but only two of them survived their infancy. Rosina and her older sister Henrietta, who was born in 1801.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Anna Wheeler was known to be clever, witty, well read and extremely beautiful. She was self educated and that education included things like French philosophy and the writing of Mary Wollstonecraft. Anna became an advocate for cooperative socialism and for women's rights and she also co authored a work called Appeal of One Half of the Human Race Women against the Pretensions of the Other. Half men to retain them in political and hence in civil and domestic slavery. In reply to a paragraph of Mr. Mills celebrated article on government, her co author in this piece was William Thompson.

[Holly Fry]

Anna and William didn't Write this until 1825 when Rosina was already an adult. But it does help illustrate the political and legal position of women in the UK at this point and the kinds of opinions Rosina would have been exposed to through her mother. The paragraph that Anna and William were responding to was written by James Mill in an essay on government that was printed in Encyclopedia Britannica. That paragraph read quote, one thing is pretty clear that all those individuals whose interests are indisputably included in those of other individuals may be struck off from political rights without inconvenience. In this light may be viewed all children up to a certain age whose interests are involved in those of their parents. In this light women may also be regarded the interest of almost all of whom is involved either in that of their fathers or in that of their husbands.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

The appeal co written by Anna Wheeler and William Thompson, calls this paragraph offensive and antisocial. The introduction to the appeal is framed as a letter from Thompson to Wheeler and it read in part, quote, you look forward, as I do, to a state of society very different from that which now exists, in which the effort of all is to outwit, supplant and snatch from each other where interest is systematically opposed to duty where the so called system of morals is little more than a mass of hypocrisy preached by knaves unpracticed by them to keep their slaves male as well as female, in blind uninquiring obedience and where the whole botley fabric is kept together by fear and blood. You look forward to a better aspect of society where the principle of benevolence shall supersede that of fear where restless and anxious individual competition shall give place to mutual cooperation and joint possession where individuals in large numbers, male and female, forming voluntary associations shall become a mutual guarantee to each other for the supply of all useful wants and form an unsalaried and uninsolvent insurance company against all insurable casualties where perfect freedom of opinion and perfect equality will reign amongst the cooperators and where the children of all will be equally educated and provided for by the whole, even these children longer the slaves of individual caprice.

[Holly Fry]

This piece noted that, quote, the interests of men and women are so involved in each other that political power possessed by the one must be impartially used for the benefit of both. But it also made a rhetorical argument that if political power had to rest only with one sex, that it should be women, because women were the weaker party and would not be able to overlook the needs of men the way men were able to overlook the needs of women.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Anna Wheeler's thoughts on marriage were partially informed by her own marriage. She and Frances got married when they were both still in their teens. Her family, when they found out about this relationship, had proposed to send her to London, not necessarily to separate them, but just to give her more time to grow up and to learn her own mind before getting married. But that suggestion had just led her to double down on her insistence that they get married immediately.

[Holly Fry]

Frances seems to have been outwardly amiable, but he also drank excessively, and his behavior could be threatening. According to Rosina's account, when she was born, her mother's attendants were terrified to tell Frances that she was a girl because he had been so adamant about wanting a son that they were legitimately scared of what his reaction would be.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

In 1812, Anna left Francis, and she took Henrietta and Rosina with her. They went to Guernsey, where Anna's uncle, Sir John Doyle, was lieutenant governor. He had been something of a surrogate father to Anna. After her own father's death. Mother and daughters moved into rooms at the government house, which was a lot more lavish than where they'd been living in kilross, Ireland. The girls had a French governess and an assortment of tutors, and Rosina described the atmosphere of the house as, quote, sort of perpetual saturnalia that was allowed unchecked to go on. She also developed a flair for mimicry, imitating their governess and their tutors and various guests who came to the government house.

[Holly Fry]

While this was a financially comfortable situation, Rosina still found these years difficult. Henrietta was clearly their mother's favorite, and Rosina later wrote, quote, I soon became that most miserable of created beings, the neglected sister of a favorite and favored child. Not that I envied Henrietta for being loved, indulged, and privileged on all occasions, for it was impossible not to love one so gentle, so gifted, and so good. I thought it was a matter of course that everyone must do so. Still, I did long for a little of my mother's love.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

The family left Guernsey in 1816, and we'll get to that after a sponsor break.

[Enrique Santos]

Hi, Zoe Saldana. Welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us. Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in. You don't need a trade in when you Switch to T Mobile. We'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it. There's always a trade in. Not right now. At T Mobile. I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma. That's okay. I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender. I'm good. Seriously, Let me check this pocket.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Oh, mints.

[Enrique Santos]

Really, I'm fine. Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car. It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your Phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line $100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement $999.99 and qualify. Imported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Pay virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits. End amounts due if you pay off early or cancel.

[Zoe Saldana]

See t mobile.com this July 4th celebrate freedom from spills, stains and overpriced furniture with Anabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $699, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric that's built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time. With modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your Life. Now through July 4th, get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Declare independence from dirty outdated furniture. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Enrique Santos]

In 2012, 16 year old Brian Herrera was gunned down in broad daylight on his way to do homework. No suspects, no witnesses, no justice.

[Holly Fry]

The call was horrible. I replayed over my head all the time.

[Enrique Santos]

For years, Brian's family kept asking questions while a culture of silence kept the.

[Holly Fry]

Case Cold snitches get stitches. Everybody knows it.

[Enrique Santos]

Still, they refused to give up.

[Holly Fry]

I would ask my husband, do you want me just let this go? He said, no, keep fighting.

[Enrique Santos]

I told her I would never give up on this case. And then, after a decade of waiting, a breakthrough.

[Holly Fry]

We received a phone call that was.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Bittersweet because it's a call that we've.

[Holly Fry]

Been waiting for for a very long time.

[Enrique Santos]

I'm Enrique Santos. This is Cold Case Files Miami, a podcast about justice, persistence, and the families who never stopped fighting. Listen to Cold Case Files Miami as part of the My Cultura Podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lex Borrero]

Welcome to the youe versus you podcast. I'm Lex Ferreiro, and every week we sit down with some of the biggest names in entertainment to talk about the real stuff, the struggles, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that made them who they are. We go deep, exploring childhood trauma, family overcoming loss, and the moments that shape their journey. These honest conversations are meant to take the cape off our heroes with the hope that their humanity inspires you to become a better you and therefore set you free to live the life of your dreams. Here's a sneak peek. I'm trained to go compete. I'm trained to be like, harder.

[Enrique Santos]

But sometimes that mentality stops you from stopping and smelling the flowers in your own garden.

[Lex Borrero]

Is it wrong to want more?

[Tracy V. Wilson]

We migrated.

[Lex Borrero]

Our family migrated here.

[Enrique Santos]

I'm like second generation.

[Lex Borrero]

Listen to you versus you as part of Michael Tuda Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Sir John Doyle Left office as lieutenant governor of Guernsey in 1816. So at that point, the family no longer had a place at the government House. Rosina and Henrietta were sent to a private school in Kensington in London, while their mother went to France. There, Anna made connections to socialists, activists and philosophers, and she was nicknamed the Goddess of Reason. She started to call for a redistribution of wealth that will allow women to live independently of men.

[Holly Fry]

In 1820, Rosina's father, Francis, died and her older sister Henrietta inherited his property in Ireland. Their mother started supplementing her income with writing, lecturing and translating work from French.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

There's not a lot of detail about the next few years of Versina's life, but In October of 1825, she met Edward George Earl Lytton Bulwer. He's known as Edward Bulwer Lytton today, but that is a name change that happened a little Later, Edward was freshly returned from France. He had his hair in ringlets, and he was carrying a cane and decked out in French attire that wouldn't become fashionable in England for another few years. Rosina described him as, quote, unmistakably gentleman like. And he had a reputation for being simultaneously a dandy and an intellectual.

[Holly Fry]

Edwards acquaintances included novelist Lady Caroline Lamb, who had become famous in part for her relationship with George Gordon, Lord Byron, who had died the previous year. She's the person who described Lord Byron as mad, bad and dangerous to know, according to Rosina's notations on Edward's letters. Later on, at one point, Caroline told her, quote, don't let Edward Bulwer hunt you down. They are a bad set.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

After meeting at a social event, Rosina and Edwards started corresponding. For the most part, Edwards letters are the ones that we have today. There are some published collections of Rosina's letters, but they're not widely available in the United States, and they are mostly letters to other people. In his letters, Edward seems deeply enamored. Here's an example of something that he wrote to Rosina, Quote, I have twice begun to write and twice I have destroyed what I have written. The same restraint which oppressed me in speaking seems to operate also upon this method of uttering. The feelings you have inspired, no matter their nature, you have discovered love, admiration, passion, are not the less deeply felt for being imperfectly expressed. The trembling of the voice, the embarrassment of manner, the difficulty of expression which diminish the eloquence, do justice at least to the reality of feeling. From the first moment I saw you, I was attracted towards you. The sentiments you inspired carried me back to years of more fresh and unsullied remembrance. They had no place among the ordinary attachments which the world had more lately afforded me. I could not define their nature. I could not reason them away.

[Holly Fry]

In another letter later on, he wrote, oh, my dear Rose, where shall I find words to express my love for you? Your kiss still dwells upon my lips, my hand still thrills beneath your touch, and your breath still lingers on my remembrance, fraught indeed with more treasures than an India sea. Eventually he started addressing his letters with endearments like My dearest Rose and darlingest Poodle, which I must admit, I find kind of fun and affecting a sort of baby talk writing style, like writing the word you as OO2O's.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Yeah. As. As they got into the baby talk, which is also the way that you might talk to, like a puppy that you're feeling very affectionately toward. I found that I was having like the vicarious embarrassment response to reading them. They they a number of people have described them in words like embarrassing and cringy. Edward, though, also wrote a lot about his mother, Elizabeth Warburton Lytton, and his fears that she would not approve of his relationship with Rosina. His father, William Earl Bulwer, had died when he was only four and by then Edward's older brothers had been sent away to school. So it was just him and his mom. His mother treat him almost like an only child. He was her favorite and she doted on him and gave him an extravagant allowance. But that allowance was totally at her prerogative. The only money he was actually legally guaranteed was 200 pounds a year from his father's will. So Edward was really afraid of his mother cutting him off.

[Holly Fry]

Rosina's sister Henrietta died in May of 1826, and Rosina inherited their father's property in Ireland at that. One of Edward's letters around this time attempted to console her both about her sister's death and the state of her relationship with her mother. Quote your alienation from your sister seems formerly to have given you much pain. Now that very fact makes your consolation. Your separation from your mother threw you into a situation which, to say the least, was disadvantageous and unpleasant. But had you gone with her to Paris, it is more than probable that we should never have met. Let me trust that the last event will not be the most unfortunate in your life.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Sometime in the months surrounding her sister's death, Rosina and Edward became engaged. And his letters to her at this point still sounded just besotted. Here's one quote My darling, darling lovin poodle, the more I think of you, the more I love you. I dote upon you even to madness. Your beauty so singularly perfect, your kind, noble, warm heart, your temper so feeling yet so subdued, your generous and devoted love, which my unworthiness, not my reason ever questions, all impress themselves upon my mind the deeper in proportion to the consideration they receive. I see other women, I turn from them wearied and disgusted because I compare them with you. All that this world offers only seems to me weary, stale and unprofitable compared with one recollection of you.

[Holly Fry]

Edward's mother did not know about the engagement, but she and Rosina had met, and it was clear to Edward that his mother did not approve of Rosina. In general, estimates of the value of the property that Rosina had inherited in Ireland are really all over the place. But it seems like it might have given her an income of about £300 a year. So she wasn't penniless, but she definitely wasn't wealthy or even financially comfortable. She was also Irish and outspoken, and at six months older than Edward, too old in his mother's opinion. Rosina was also extremely beautiful, and even that was somehow suspect.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

In September of 1826, Edward wrote Rosina a letter in which he talked about his ambitions for the future. His mother wanted him to distinguish himself, and he thought that if he did that then she could have no objection to anybody that he might want to marry. He thought he might earn this distinction by becoming a Member of Parliament, but there were income and property ownership requirements for MPs that he did not meet, so he thought he might make up the difference in income requirements by writing. So that became the plan. He would earn enough money through writing to become eligible to be an mp. He would get elected and then he would disclose his engagement to his mother and then they would get married.

[Holly Fry]

In my head, there's a cartoon where he has a flowchart of how his.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Life is going to work does kind of seem that way.

[Holly Fry]

And so much of it depends on things he cannot control. Working out exactly as he plans.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Right.

[Holly Fry]

In October of 1826, Edward told his mother about the engagement. Even though he had not yet sold his first novel, this did not go well, and Edward described a letter his mother had written him this way. Quote, there is not in this letter one kind expression to redeem its want of almost human consideration for my feelings. And it ends with saying that if I marry, I should have not her consent, but her curse.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

The next several months of Edward and Rosina's relationship sound chaotic and stressful. Edward was trying to write a book and Rosina was reading his drafts and offering her opinions while also doing some writing work of her own. Knowledge of his mother's disapproval seemed to just underpin everything that they did. Edward's mother also allegedly sent people to Ireland to investigate Rosina's family there. The couple kept setting dates for a wedding and then postponing it, and at least three times Rosina called the engagement off entirely. But then they resumed the relationship.

[Holly Fry]

Edwards sold his first novel, Falkland, in 1827. It was not the financial success that he hoped it would be, but he and Rosina got married in Piccadilly on August 29th of that year. His mother did not come to the wedding, and afterward, as she'd threatened to do, she cut off his allowance, leaving him only with his inheritance from his father and what he could earn on his own. She also refused to see him, and she returned all of his letters unopened for more than a year.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

In one of his many letters, Edward had told Rosina that because of this whole situation with his mother and his reduced income, they might have to live abroad in total isolation. Instead, they moved to a secluded house in Oxfordshire, where Edward kept trying to be a successful writer. With Rosina's ongoing help, we will talk.

[Holly Fry]

About how their marriage evolved from this after we pause for another sponsor break.

[Enrique Santos]

Hi Zoe Saldana welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us. Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in. You don't need a trade in when you switch to T Mobile, we'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it. There's always a trade in. Not right now. @ T Mobile. I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma. That's okay. I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender. I'm good.

[Holly Fry]

Seriously.

[Enrique Santos]

Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints. Really, I'm fine. Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car. It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. Will even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line 100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement $999.99 and qualifying forwarded for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits end and balance due if you pay off earlier.

[Zoe Saldana]

Cancel See T mobile.com this July 4th celebrate freedom from spills, stains and overpriced furniture with Anabe. The only machine was sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $699, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Annabe's Pet Friendly Stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric that's built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your Life. Now through July 4th, get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Declare independence from dirty, outdated furniture. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Enrique Santos]

In 2012, 16 year old Brian Herrera was gunned down in broad daylight on his way to do homework. No suspects, no witnesses, no justice.

[Holly Fry]

The call was horrible. I replayed over my head all the time.

[Enrique Santos]

For years, Brian's family kept asking questions while a culture of silence kept the case cold.

[Holly Fry]

Snitches get stitches. Everybody knows it.

[Enrique Santos]

Still, they refused to give up.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

I would ask my husband, do you.

[Holly Fry]

Want me just let this go? He was like, no, keep fighting.

[Enrique Santos]

I told her I would never give.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Up on this case.

[Enrique Santos]

And then, after a decade of waiting, a breakthrough.

[Holly Fry]

We received a phone call that was bittersweet because it's a call that we've been waiting for for a very long time.

[Enrique Santos]

I'm Enrique Santos. This is Cold Case Files Miami, a podcast about justice, persistence, and the families who never stopped fighting. Listen to Cold Case Files Miami as part of the My Kultura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lex Borrero]

Welcome to the youe versus you podcast. I'm Lex Borrero and every week we sit down with some of the biggest names in entertainment to talk about the real stuff, the struggles, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that made them who they are. We go deep exploring childhood trauma, family overcoming loss, and the moments that shape their journey. These honest conversations are meant to take the cape off our heroes with the hope that their humanity inspires you to become a better you and therefore set you free to live the life of your dreams. Here's a sneak peek. I'm trained to go compete. I'm trained to be like harder.

[Enrique Santos]

But sometimes that mentality stops you from stopping and smelling the flowers in your own garden.

[Lex Borrero]

Is it wrong to want more?

[Tracy V. Wilson]

We migrated.

[Lex Borrero]

Our family migrated here.

[Enrique Santos]

I'm like second generation.

[Lex Borrero]

Listen to you versus you as part of Michael Tuda Podcast Network. Available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Before they got married, it seems like Edward and Rosina had talked talked a whole lot about what their lives might be like if they got married without his mother's approval, but even so, it just doesn't seem like they were fully prepared for that reality when it finally arrived. Edward continued to write Rosina really gushing letters when they were apart, but he also worked himself just to exhaustion trying to earn money as a writer, and he expected Rosina's continual help with that writing. He still had an eye on a seat in parliament, and by 1828 he started hinting to Rosina that it might be possible that he could claim the Doyle baronetcy through his marriage to her.

[Holly Fry]

By that point, Rosina was pregnant, and her first allegation of Edwards physical abuse was during that pregnancy. She said she had been helping him in their library, but she got tired and she had to lie down on the couch. When he asked her to go up a ladder to get him another book, she told him that she was too tired to do it and at that point he kicked her.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Edward's novel, Pelham, or the Adventures of a Gentleman, was published in May of 1828 and it became a huge bestseller. Their daughter Emily Elizabeth, was born the following month, on June 27th. Soon after this, Edward decided that Emily should be sent to a wet nurse because if she stayed at home, she would take up too much of her time when he needed her help with his writing. By mid July, Rosina was having eye trouble, which a doctor attributed to her constant weeping at being separated from her daughter. The doctor ordered her to spend three months recovering at the seaside town of Weymouth. Edward claimed that Rosina really wasn't affected by this and that she had always been more fond of their dogs.

[Holly Fry]

With the money that he earned from his novel, Edward bought a house on Hertford street in the Mayfair district of London and the family moved there. He started making more political connections and he started repairing his relationship with his mother, which added another layer of strain to his marriage. Because Elizabeth could be very domineering and as we have established, she did not approve of Rosina at all.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

In the spring of 1831, Edward was elected MP for St Ives. He met the property ownership requirement through the estate in Ireland that had belonged to Rosina's father. Because the way marriage worked under British law, married women's property belonged to their husband. On November 8th of that year, their son, Edward Robert, known as Robert, was born.

[Holly Fry]

In 1832, the Great Reform act was passed in the UK, which reformed the parliamentary system and changed the requirements to become an mp. This law changed the parliamentary map, getting rid of so called rotten boroughs that had two members of Parliament but almost no population to represent. It also reduced the number of MPs in smaller districts, including St Ives, which dropped from two MPs to one.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This law also loosened up the property ownership requirements for becoming an mp, which allowed Edward to sell Rosina's property in Ireland, which he did for a little more than £3,700. Rosina had no say at all in this decision, again because of those same laws about how marriage worked. After this reform bill passed, Edward was elected MP for Lincoln. And that was a seat that he held until 1841.

[Holly Fry]

In the fall of 1833, Edward and Rosina took a trip to Naples, arriving there that November. Edward is described as exhausted at this point from years of writing incessantly to try to maintain their income and lifestyle. But he also wrote while they were there. He finished most of his novel the Last Days of Pompeii, which would be published in 1834 and become his most successful book.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Edward had been having extramarital affairs which Rosina knew about and this included being involved with a married woman on this trip. And he also again became violent with Rosina while they were in Naples. Rosina's Lady's maid, Rosetta Byrne, gave a sworn statement about what had happened later on and here is what she wrote. Quote, Mr. Edward Lytton Bulworth did her Ladyship not only as to cruel neglect and infidelity, but also as to acts of brut personal violence amongst others. On one occasion when traveling In Italy in 1833, one night at the Lake of Bolsano, he so dashed the things about and at her ladyship that even Luigi the courier vowed he would not continue the journey with him again at Naples after having in one of his brutal rages kicked and banged her Ladyship against the stone floor at the Hotel Vittoria till she was black and blue and and had to keep her bed a few days after because people began to talk of this at Naples. He made her poor lady get up and dress herself to go to a great dinner at her at Lord Hertford's.

[Holly Fry]

Edward and Rosina returned to England in early 1834 and there was another major violent incident that July. Rosina's lady's maid described this in the same sworn testament. Quote after we got back to London, his temper continued awful towards her Ladyship for having having asked him for money to pay the house bills left unpaid when they were abroad. So one day in July 1834. At dinner at their house, 36 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London. He seized a carving knife and rushed at his wife when she cried out, for God's sake, Edward, take care what you are about. Then he dropped the knife and sprang on her like a tiger, made his teeth meet in her left cheek until her screams brought the menservants back into the dining room.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

In Rosina's account, this started when she told her husband that she was going to a christening and he asked who she was going with. Rosina told him, and he reportedly said, my mother calls her that ugly old woman, like, over and over again. And when Rosina just didn't acknowledge him, Edward asked if she had heard him. She said that she had, and when Edward asked why she hadn't answered him, she said she didn't think it required an answer. And that was when he had come at her with a knife.

[Holly Fry]

Shortly after this incident, Edward wrote Rosina a letter that said, in part, quote, I am now convinced of what I have long believed. I am only fit to live alone. God and nature afflicted me with unsocial habits, weak nerves and violent passions. Everything in my life tended to feed these infirmities until they have become a confirmed and incurable disease, which nothing but a gentle pity, a forbearing, soothing, watchful compassion, as of a nurse over a madman, can render bearable to me or others.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

They decided to separate, and Edward said that he would provide Rosina with £600 a year, paid out quarterly. He advised her to sell the house because she wouldn't be able to afford it on that amount. And he said that where she and the children lived and how were up to her, although he might decide to have an influence on their son's education when he got a little older. At this point, their daughter was 6 and their son was 3.

[Holly Fry]

This was an informal separation, and over the next few years, Rosina and Edward made some attempts to reconcile. The final straw that led them to legally separate seems to have happened in 1836. Edward had told Rosina that he was going to have dinner with her, and then at the last minute, a servant brought word to her that he was ill. Rosina went to his rooms to see if he was okay and to take care of him if necessary, and she found him with a woman named Laura Deacon. Edward very indignantly claimed that Rosina had jumped to conclusions and attacked him after simply seeing that there were two teacups on the table. But this relationship with Laura Deacon was ongoing, and the two of them ultimately had three children together.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

The only way to obtain a divorce in the UK at this point was through an act of Parliament. A man could initiate a divorce bill on the grounds of adultery and a woman could do so on the grounds of adultery and also cruelty. Only very wealthy people could afford to do this, really wealthier than Edward and Rosina probably. But beyond that, Edward had no proof that Rosina had ever been unfaithful, although there had been some rumors that she had flirted with a prince while they were in Naples. Rosina might have been able to prove Edward's infidelity, but she would also have to prove that he was cruel. That would have been a lot harder. That sworn statement from her maid is something that was written much later on. And even if she had had something like that to use as evidence, Edward would have gone to great lengths to defend himself from allegations of cruelty. That was just not something that he would have been willing to admit to.

[Holly Fry]

So they legally separated on April 19, 1836. Their deed of separation said in part, quote, Whereas unhappy differences have arisen and still subsist between the said Edward George Earl Lytton Bulwer and Rosina Ann his wife, by reason whereof they have agreed to live separate and apart from each other for the future. And whereas the said Edward George Earl Lytton Bulwer, hath proposed to allow unto or entrust for the said Rosina and Bulwer during the said separation the yearly sum of £400 as a provision for her maintenance and support.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

The deed of separation also specified that Rosina would get an additional 50 pounds per year for each of her children as long as they lived with her. And it established two trustees for her, Sir Francis Hastings Doyle and the Reverend Sir Thomas gary Cullen.

[Holly Fry]

On June 14, 1836, Rosina and her children moved out of Edward's home. She and Edward were both 33 and the children were 7 and 4. Since Edward and Rosina were still legally married, she still had no legal or economic rights apart from him and was totally dependent on his support. Unlike her mother, she didn't have a father figure in a high ranking government position that she could move in with along with her children. Sir John Doyle, who had sheltered them when Rosina was a child, had died two years before this.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This was not a case in which Rosina and Edward happily went their own way after being separated. In the words of her maid's sworn statement, quote he has ever since hunted her through the world with spies and bad women and does not allow her enough to live upon for a lady in her station.

[Holly Fry]

After their separation, Rosina wrote a lot, both to make up for a lack of income and to make sure that the world knew what she thought of her husband. And we're going to get into all of that next time. Do you have some listener mail to take us out of this domestic horror?

[Tracy V. Wilson]

I do have some listener mail. Before listener mail, we can mention once again that we are taking a trip to Morocco this November. I don't think we have mentioned that on the show in a bit. The last time I checked we were sold out of individual single rooms and defined destinations. Was getting in touch with people just to see if there was anybody who might be okay sharing a room with somebody. There are still spots available for people traveling together as a pair, whether that's friends or a couple or whatever. So the best way to get to that is to go to defineddestinations.com and click on tours. And it's the one called Taste of Morocco. And yes, now I do have listener mail. This listener mail is from Gary, who wrote after our Triple Nickels episode. Gary wrote Dear Tracy and Holly, I know I've been writing a lot lately, but I've been listening to your podcast a lot lately and I have thoughts. As a white male boomer and a lifelong resident of Oregon, I didn't expect the Triple Nickels episode to hit so close to home. But it did in several ways. First, my ears perked up at the mention of Fort Benning. My mom's first husband attended officer training school at Fort Benning. When my mom was about 21 years old, she took a train across the country to join him there. In later years she told me that that train ride through the south and her time in Georgia were very upsetting to her because of the widespread poverty and the treatment of black people. Her husband was killed in a non combat vehicle crash somewhere in Europe shortly after V E Day. When I was going through her things after she passed away in 2000, I found materials from his time at Fort Benning, including a booklet listing all of his fellow graduates, among whom was a William Gates Sr. The father of Microsoft's Bill Gates. Just a fun fact. Then you got to the part about the Mitchell Party tragedy in Bly and the connection to the creation of smokejumpers, including the Triple Nickels participation in them. My dad's family has lived in that area since the late 19th century, and I too lived in nearby Lakeview for several years and have visited the monument. One of my older brother's best friends earned money for college as a smoke jumper based out of Cave Junction, near where we grew up in Grants Pass. But I really wasn't aware of the 555 or their connection to the balloon bomb case or the smoke jumpers. And I'm always really happy when I learn new historical facts, especially about things and events that have touched my life. So thanks again for a really interesting episode. I'm attaching another photo of Juno, the red standard poodle, this time on a little hike with us. She's posing on a trail surrounded by blooming leaf larkspur. She just turned 10 years old earlier this month, but she's still a very active girl and loves walking in the forest with us. She recently pulled a muscle chasing a deer or squirrel, so we're having to keep her quiet, which is quite a challenge while that heals. Thanks again for your good work, Gary. I like how the options of chasing include a deer and a squirrel, two dissimilar animals. Oh my goodness.

[Holly Fry]

Dissimilar, but in similar places.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Similar places. Similar. Fleeing from dogs I will imagine. Yeah, what a cute poodle.

[Holly Fry]

She's precious.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Very cute with a brown, just brown, light brown fur and a very. This face looks very pensive to me. It is sort of like she's thinking, is it okay for me to go on ahead of you? Do you want me to wait? Can I go? Not sure. Thank you so much for this email, Gary. You probably have heard the balloons the Japanese or the balloons of World War II episode that we talked more about the tragedy and Bly and the Japanese balloon bombs. We've gotten a couple of emails that kind of referenced having never heard of that before. So in case folks have missed it, there is an episode in our previous episodes called the Balloons of World War II that talks more about that. So thank you so much Gary. If you would like to send us a note about this or any other podcast, we're a history podcast at iHeartRadio and you can subscribe to our show on the iHeartRadio app and anywhere else you like to get your podcasts. Stuff youf Missed in History Class is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite show.

[Enrique Santos]

In 2012, 16 year old Brian Herrera was gunned down in broad daylight on his way to do homework. No suspects, no witnesses, no justice.

[Holly Fry]

I would ask my husband, do you want me to stop? He was like, no, keep fighting.

[Enrique Santos]

After nearly a decade, a breakthrough changed everything. This is Cold Case Files Miami. Stories of families who never stopped fighting. Listen to Cold Case Files Miami Miami. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lex Borrero]

Welcome to the you versus you podcast. I'm Lex Borrero inviting you to go beyond the titles and the accolades of the world's most successful entertainers. Each week we take off the cape and get real about the inner battles, childhood stories, and the moments that shaped our guests. Get inspired to become the best version of you. Listen to youo vs you podcast podcast on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Jake Hanrahan, journalist and documentary filmmaker. Away Days is my new project reporting on countercultures on the fringes of society all across the world. Live from the underground, you'll discover no rules fighting, Japanese street racing, Brazilian favela.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Life, and much more.

[Enrique Santos]

All real, completely unsurprising, uncensored.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Listen to the Away Days podcast, reporting.

[Lex Borrero]

From the underbelly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Holly Fry]

A body, a suspect, and a hundred years of silence. Buried Bones is a podcast about the forgotten crimes history tried to leave behind.

[Enrique Santos]

A common misperception about serial predators is that every single time they commit a crime, crime, they committed the same way.

[Holly Fry]

The past is a way of talking if you know what to listen for.

[Enrique Santos]

New episodes every Wednesday on the Exactly Right network.

[Holly Fry]

Listen to Buried phones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This is an I heart podcast.