The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton (TV)

In 19th century Victorian England, Mrs. Isabella Beeton produced what became an essential book for housewives of the day. She was married at a relatively young age to Sam Beeton, a publisher of books and magazines on a variety of subjects. Not someone to sit at home in the traditional role of a housewife, Mrs. Beeton started work in her husband's business, initially as an editor correcting English but then writing some of the columns herself. It as at this point that she developed an idea for a cookbook and Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management was born. Her life was not an easy one however. The publishing business went bankrupt, she lost two children at a young age and had several miscarriages. She died at the age of 28. The name Mrs Beeton may conjure up the image of a starchy, middle-aged matron, but Isabella Beeton was in fact an accomplished business woman who died very young. The Secret Life of Mrs Beeton traces Isabella's transformation from young wife, to magazine journalist, to publishing phenomenon. Find out how a woman who couldn't cook ended up producing the world's most famous recipe book, and discover the dark secret which led to her early death.