Lady Gaga—but which one? 
 
 “I’ve always been Gaga,” Lady Gaga told Rolling Stone in 2009, and spiritually speaking, she may be right. But for most of her life she was Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta—“Stef” to her friends. It was one of those friends, her ex-boyfriend and former manager, Rob Fusari, who gave the singer her nom de guerre, by accident, in 2004. Fusari sent Germanotta a text message that read, simply, “Radio Gaga,” a reference to the 1984 hit by Queen. Or rather, Fusari tried to text “Radio Gaga”—his cellphone autocorrected “Radio” to “Lady.” Germanotta had been looking for a stage name, and “Lady Gaga” had the right ring. Fusari told an interviewer: “She texted me back. ‘That’s it.’ After that day she was Lady Gaga. She’s like, ‘Don’t ever call me Stefani again.’ “ 
 
 As pop-star aliases go, Lady Gaga is awfully good—an ideal combination of regal and ridiculous. It pays tribute to Queen’s Freddie Mercury, the glam rock titan who is audibly one of Gaga’s heroes. The honorific Lady strikes the right note of diva-ish pretension; there’s a hint of Dada in Gaga. 
 
 But there’s also 2,600 years of history in it. Did Germanotta know that she was not the first Lady Gaga—that she was staking claim to a title previously held by a Babylonian slave owner, an Irish-born French noblewoman, and a fictional habitué of the Roaring Twenties London party scene? 
 
 The first Lady Gaga enters the historical record in a letter, inscribed on Babylonian cuneiform tablet, dating from the sixth century B.C., probably during the reign of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The letter, addressed from Gaga to her father, Sa-pi-Bel, concerns minor domestic matters. It begins with Gaga chastising Sa-pi-Bel for not having written her recently—”Why … have my daughters and I passed the time in thirst for a letter from thee? Rack thy brains (for an excuse). …”—before asking for advice about some stolen fruit. Evidently, this same Babylonian Gaga owned a Jewish slave named Barachiel, who several years after Gaga’s death unsuccessfully petitioned a Babylonian court for his freedom, in what may be history’s first recorded fugitive slave case. 
 
 It is because of another legal entanglement that we know about a second Lady Gaga—a certain Madame de Gaga, who crops up in London court records from 1839. The case of De Gaga v. The Duke of Leinster was a complicated affair, involving French dowry law and the purchase of a house on the Rue D’Anjou in Paris. Although the paper trail reveals little about Madame de Gaga, we can infer at least one similarity with the singer of “Poker Face.” Like Stefani Germanotta, Madame de Gaga was a bootstrapper, a Gaga by choice: She was born Matilda Fitzgerald in County Kildare, Ireland, and attained her aristocratic title when she married the Chevalier de Gaga in 1817. 
 
 A century later, we come to a third Lady Gaga, who in several respects eerily anticipates the 2011 version. This Gaga showed up in the April 24, 1929 issue of Punch, the humor magazine that was devoted to skewering the follies of London society. Punch’s Lady Gaga was fictional, the lead character in a satire that took aim at the so-called Bright Young People, a brigade of bohemians and socialites whose aggressively post-Victorian antics caught the spirit of London’s Jazz Age. 
 
 For several years, into the 1930s, the Bright Young People captivated London’s gossip columnists with a series of “freak” or “stunt” parties—themed soirees featuring elaborate costumes, cross-dressing, wild animals, and outlandish musical entertainment. Guests at the Second Childhood Party arrived at a posh Knightsbridge townhouse in oversized prams. For the Wild West Party, flappers traded in their Parisian frocks for chaps and boots. There was a Bottle and Pyjama Party (booze and sleepwear), a Bath and Bottle Party (booze, swimming pool), a Mozart Party (powdered wigs). At the Circus Party, held in July of 1929, the musical entertainment included a jazz orchestra and an accordion quartet. There was a dancing bear on hand, and a Siberian wolf, and a seal. 
 
 In the Punch satire, “The Dull Young People: A Study at a Stunt-Party,” the unnamed narrator gains entry to an exclusive gathering hosted by “The Honorable Batsine Belfrage and her husband ‘Bobo,’ whose sobriquet has attained the dignity of recognition by all the smartest paragraphists of the dance-club Press.” The narrator’s escort is a blue-blooded party-girl with a slangy vocabulary (“Aren’t they too ultra-super?”) and a lust for publicity. Her name? “Lady Gaga.” 
 
 “It was terribly difficult for me to get you a card,” said Lady Gaga as she steered me dexterously in her pink two-seater through the mazes of after-theatre traffic; “but, my dear, I get away with it. I told them you wrote for the papers.”You’re still in the thirties,” she went on severely, “yet you’re so Victorian! And I’m determined you shall meet some of the Bright Young People.” 
 
 The pair arrives at a small house in Bloomsbury packed with revelers and—to the delight of fame-hungry Gaga—the leading lights of the gossip press. 
 
 “Look!” whispered Gaga rapturously, “there’s Bobby de Bootlace; he’s ‘Mask’ of The Morning Headline. And there’s Dodo d’Organdie; she’s ‘Flâneuse’ of The Evening Eavesdropper. That’s Bunloafe she’s talking to; he does that priceless page every week in The Sunday Shocker! How glorious! They’re sure to put us in!” 
 
 The party is a Dionysian romp, with guests who could be extras in the “Bad Romance” video. There’s “a flabby fellow wearing a leopard’s skin and a gold bracelet” who gives a dance performance “assisted by an immensely tall emaciated girl with her lips painted black.” There’s “an exquisite in exaggerated dress-clothes and a crash-helmet … introduced to me by Gaga as ‘Toto.’ ” Everywhere, there are homosexuals: 
 
 Here was a cocktail-bar, from behind which “Bobo” in person, attired as a merchant skipper, dispensed refreshment to a perspiring mob of boys and girls in rather too elaborate fancy-dress, most of the latter showing a curiously unimaginative preference for trousers. On the counter sat a massive maiden in a cavalry officer’s mess kit, whom everybody addressed as “Colonel,” and next to her a fresh-faced lad dressed as a bride, complete with veil and orange blossom. He was just down, so Gaga informed me, from the University, but had already one distinction in the mostly brightly youthful circles as a dress-designer whose creations in satin pyjamas were “simply super“! 
 
 The story ends with Gaga stretched out on a floor strewn with cigarette butts, “her arm round the waist of a young heavy-weight in horn-rims, dressed as a baby. They were listening to a hollow-eyed girl in a ballet-skirt and a man’s opera hat who was singing a mournful song with the refrain, ‘It’s terribly thrill-ing to be wicked.’ “ 
 
 Punch’s Lady Gaga surfaced at least one more time, a couple of years later, in a small item in the magazine’s Oct 14, 1931 issue. By this time, we gather, Lady Gaga has graduated from the London demimonde to international movie stardom. In a short dispatch bylined to “Lady Gaga Gate-Crasher, Lord Turnstile’s daughter,” she explains her decision to retire from the silver screen: “Shortly after my début on the talkies I was inundated with letters of congratulation from millions of my public. This sort of thing is always upsetting to a girl of temperament, so I cancelled a number of contracts with Ellstree and Hollywood and am going into seclusion for a while.” The title of the piece: “Why I Have Entered A Convent.” 
 
 Lady Gaga, a nun? Could happen. 

 Image Name Characterization 
 
 Helen D'Abernon (1866–1954) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Harold Acton (1904–1994) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 William Acton (1906–1945) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Kathleen Adam Smith (d. 1941) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 John Amery (1912–1945) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Leo Amery (1873–1955) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Michael Arlen (1895–1956) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Sylvia Ashley (1904–1977) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1933, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1900–1947) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Lettice Ashley-Cooper (1911–1990) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Mary Ashley-Cooper (1902–1936) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Margot Asquith (1864–1945) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Adele Astaire (1896–1981) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Clement Attlee (1883–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Mae Bacon (1897–1981) Newspaper articles: 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Hermione Baddeley (1906–1986) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Edythe Baker (1899–1971) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Oliver Baldwin (1899–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Ruth Baldwin (1905–1937) Books: 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Stanley Baldwin (1867–1947) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Patrick Balfour (1904–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Thomas Balston (1883–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Tallulah Bankhead (1902–1968) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 John Banting (1902–1972) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alexander Baring (1898–1991) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 Maurice Baring (1874–1945) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Poppy Baring (1901–1980) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Elvira Dolores Barney (1904–1936) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 H. M. Bateman (1887–1970) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Beverley Baxter (1891–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Cecil Beaton (1904–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Baba Beaton (1912–1973) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Dancing to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Nancy Beaton (1909–1999) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Max Beerbohm (1872–1956) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Clive Bell (1881–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Babe Bendir (b. 1907) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Margot Bendir Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Lord Berners (1883–1950) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Merlin in Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Lord Merlin in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 John Betjeman (1906–1984) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Paul Fotheringay in Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Elizabeth Bibesco (1897–1945) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Mona von Bismarck (1897–1983) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Caroline Blackwood (1931–1996) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edmund Blunden (1896–1974) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Robert Boothby (1900–1986) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Clara Bow (1905–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900–2002) Newspaper articles: 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Maurice Bowra (1898–1971) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Brendan Bracken (1901–1958) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Rex Mottram in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Georges Braque (1882–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Diana Bridgeman (1907–1967) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Robert Bridges (1844–1930) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Valentine Browne (1891–1943) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Frank Buchman (1878–1961) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Guy Burgess (1911–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edward Burra (1905–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Clara Butt (1872–1936) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Mary Butts (1890–1937) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Julian Byng (1862–1935) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Robert Byron (1905–1941) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Albert Gates in Highland Fling by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Ben Gore in Blindness by Henry Green[17] 
 
 Denis Capel-Dunn (1903–1945) Books: 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Kenneth Widmerpool in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Dudley Carew (1903–1981) Books: 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Billie Carleton (1896–1918) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Dora Carrington (1893–1932) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Betty Blyth in The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Barbara Cartland (1901–2000) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Luisa Casati (1881–1957) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Irene Castle (1893–1969) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Lina Cavalieri (1874–1944) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Ivy Cavendish-Bentinck (1887–1982) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Victor Cazalet (1896–1943) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 William Chappell (1907–1994) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edna Woolman Chase (1877–1957) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Nina Chavchavadze (1901–1974) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edward Chichester (1903–1975) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Diana Churchill (1909–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Winston Churchill (1874–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Camille Clifford (1885–1971) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Claud Cockburn (1904–1981) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Nevill Coghill (1899–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Sibyl Colefax (1874–1950) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Cyril Connolly (1903–1974) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Ed Spain in The Blessing by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Diana Cooper (1892–1986) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lady Leone in Don't Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Lady Artemis Hooper in Aaron's Rod by D.H. Lawrence 
 
 Ruby, Lady Maclean in The Love and Envied by Enid Bagnold 
 
 Lady Queenie Paulle in The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett[17] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Duff Cooper (1890–1954) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Gladys Cooper (1888–1971) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Noël Coward (1899–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Max Pilgrim in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 
 
 Violet Cripps (1891-1983) Portraits: 
 
 1938, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Emerald Cunard (1872–1948) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1928, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Nancy Cunard (1896–1965) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Baby Bucktrout in The Roaring Queen by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1928, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Alexandra Curzon (1904–1995) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 Georgiana Curzon (1910–1976) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Irene Curzon (1896–1966) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 Mary Curzon (1887–1962) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Peregrine Cust (1899–1978) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Hugh Dalton (1887–1962) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Marion Davies (1897–1961) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Lya De Putti (1897–1931) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Aubrey Dean Paul (1869–1961) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brenda Dean Paul (1907–1959) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Napper Dean Paul (1904–1972) Books: 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Warwick Deeping (1877–1950) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gaby Deslys (1881–1920) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Alec Douglas-Home (1903–1995) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Elizabeth Douglas-Scott-Montagu (1909–2002) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Tom Driberg (1905–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 John Drury-Lowe (1905–1960) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Gerald du Maurier (1873–1934) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Freda Dudley Ward (1894–1983) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Alfred Duggan (1903–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Hubert Duggan (1904–1943) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Charles Stringham in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Eleonora Duse (1858–1924) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Anthony Eden (1897–1977) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Lily Elsie (1886–1962) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Baba d'Erlanger (1901–1945) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Mimi d'Erlanger (1874–1959) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters 
 
 Countess Flor di Folio in Serena Blandish by Enid Bagnold 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Hamish St. Clair Erskine (1909–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Highland Fling by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Sir Roderick "Bobby" Bobbin in Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Daisy Fellowes (1902–1945) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies (1891–1992) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Daphne Fielding (1904–1997) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1940, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Ronald Firbank (1886–1926) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Michael Foot (1913–2010) Portraits: 
 
 1948, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 E. M. Forster (1879–1970) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 John Fothergill (1876–1957) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Harry Fox-Strangways (1905–1964) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Gilbert Frankau (1884–1952) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Maxine Freeman-Thomas (b. 1901) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Essex French (1907–1996) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Valerie French (1909–1997) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Roger Fry (1866–1934) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Anthea Gamble (1906–1960) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Greta Garbo (1905–1990) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Evelyn Gardner (1903–1994) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Brenda Last in A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Herbert Gardner (1846–1921) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edward Gathorne-Hardy (1901–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Paula Gellibrand (1898–1986) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Serena Blandish by Enid Bagnold 
 
 Lillian Gish (1893–1993) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Douglas Goldring (1887–1960) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Victor Gollancz (1893–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alastair Graham (1904–1982) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Robert Graves (1895–1985) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Henry Green (1905–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Graham Greene (1904–1991) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Terence Greenidge (1902–1970) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Daisy Greville (1861–1938) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Ivor Guest (1903–1967) Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Bryan Guinness (1905–1992) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Loel Guinness (1906–1988) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Meraud Guinness (1904–1993) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Walter Guinness (1880–1944) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Claud Hamilton (1889–1975) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Patrick Hamilton (1904–1962) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Nina Hamnett (1890–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Doris Harcourt (1900–1981) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 Alfred Harmsworth (1865–1922) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Allanah Harper (1904–1992) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Pamela Harriman (1920–1997) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Roy Harrod (1900–1978) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Deirdre Hart-Davis (1909–1999) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Norman Hartnell (1901–1979) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gavin Henderson (1902–1977) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 A. P. Herbert (1890–1971) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Sidney Herbert (1906–1969) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 John Heygate (1903–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 John Beaver in A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Sir Piers Tofield in Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight by Henry Williamson 
 
 Quintin Hogg (1907–2001) Portraits: 
 
 1948, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Inez Holden (1903–1974) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Wanda Holden (1911–1956) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Vyvyan Holland (1886–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Christopher Hollis (1902–1977) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard (1905–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Fictional Characters 
 
 Anthony Blanche in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Donald Butterboy in The Roaring Queen by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Elizabeth Jane Howard (1923–2014) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 William Howard (1902–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Jobyna Howland (1880–1936) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Christopher Isherwood (1904–1986) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Audrey James (1902–1968) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Edward James (1907–1984) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Julia James (1890–1964) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Alice de Janzé (1899–1941) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Arthur Jeffress (1905–1961) Books: 
 
 Alec Waugh, "A Year to Remember, A Reminiscence of 1931" Bloomsbury Reader, 1975 
 
 D.J. Taylor, "Bright Young People - The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age" Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2007 
 
 John Montgomery, "The Twenties," George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London, 1970 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 Graham Sutherland, 1954 
 
 Ida Kar, 1959 
 
 Douglas Jerrold (1893–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Augustus John (1878–1961) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1949, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 William Joynson-Hicks (1865–1932) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Baby Jungman (1907–2010) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Zita Jungman (1904–2006) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Marriage of a "Bright Young Person"[20] 
 
 Barbara Ker-Seymer (1905–1993) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 George Kinnoull (1902–1938) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 George Alfred Kolkhorst (1897–1958) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Constant Lambert (1905–1951) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Hugh Moreland in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Osbert Lancaster (1908–1986) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Elissa Landi (1904–1948) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Lillie Langtry (1853–1929) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 George Lascelles (1923–2011) Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 James Laver (1899–1975) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Hazel Lavery (1880–1935) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Eminent Victorians[21] 
 
 D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gertrude Lawrence (1898–1952) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Susan Lawrence (1871–1947) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 James Lees-Milne (1908–1997) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Albert Gates in Highland Fling by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Rosamond Lehmann (1901–1990) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 F. R. Leavis (1895–1978) Fictional Characters: 
 
 J G Quiggin in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Rosa Lewis (1867–1952) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 John "The Widow" Lloyd (1900–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Anita Loos (1889–1981) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Tilly Losch (1903–1975) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Dorothy Lygon (1912–2001) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lady Cordelia Flyte in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Hugh Lygon (1904–1936) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Lettice Lygon (1906–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Mary Lygon (1910–1982) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Vile Bodies to Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Sibell Lygon (1907–2005) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Vile Bodies to Evelyn Waugh 
 
 William Lygon (1903–1979) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Malcolm MacDonald (1901–1981) Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Ramsay MacDonald (1866–1937) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 Society in London[23] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Julian MacLaren-Ross (1912–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 X. Trapnel in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Violet Manners (1856–1937) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Ethel Mannin (1900–1984) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Reginald Manningham-Buller (1905–1980) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Kenneth Widmerpool in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Edward Marjoribanks (1900–1932) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Frances Marshall (1900–2004) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Rita Martin (1875–1958) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Nellie Melba (1861–1931) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Harry Melville (1908–2000) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Anne Messel (1902–1992) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Oliver Messel (1904–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Kate Meyrick (1875–1933) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 Florence Mills (1896–1927) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 David Mitford (1878–1958) Fictional Characters: 
 
 General Murgatroyd in Highland Fling by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Uncle Matthew in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Deborah Mitford (1920–2014) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Northey Mackintosh in Don't Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Linda Radlett in Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Linda Radlett in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Diana Mitford (1910–2003) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 Jessica Mitford (1917–1996) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Jassy Radlett in Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Jassy Radlett in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Nancy Mitford (1904–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Grace Marquise de Valhubert in Don't Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Lord Rennell's Son Engaged[24] 
 
 Tom Mitford (1909–1945) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Unity Mitford (1914–1948) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Eugenia Malmains in Wings on the Green by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Ivan Moffat (1918–2002) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Evan Morgan (1893–1949) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1929, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Gloria Morgan (1904–1965) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Thelma Morgan (1904–1970) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Raymond Mortimer (1895–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Oswald Mosley (1896–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Edwina Mountbatten (1901–1960) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 George Mountbatten (1892–1938) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Irene Mountbatten (1890–1956) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Louis Mountbatten (1900–1979) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Nadejda Mountbatten (1896–1963) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Herbert Mundin (1898–1939) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Eminent Victorians[21] 
 
 Basil Murray (1902–1937) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Jasper Aspect in Wings on the Green by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Vaughan Nash (1861–1932) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Beverley Nichols (1898–1983) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Harold Nicolson (1886–1968) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Ivor Novello (1893–1951) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Serge Obolensky (1890–1978) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Marjorie Oelrichs (1908–1937) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Mark Ogilvie-Grant (1905–1969) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Sir Ivor King in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Nina Ogilvie-Grant (1906–1969) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Denise Orme (1885–1960) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 George Orwell (1903–1950) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Erridge (Earl of Warminster) in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Frank Pakenham (1905–2001) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Erridge (Earl of Warminster) in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Pansy Pakenham (1904–1999) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gina Palerme (1885–1977) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Gaston Palewski (1901–1984) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Charles-Edouard, Marquis de Valhubert in The Blessing by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Fabrice, Duc de Sauveterre in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Richard Pares (1902–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Dorothea Parry (1876–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gwen Parry (1878–1959) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Hubert Parry (1848–1918) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Bridget Parsons (1907–1972) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Michael Parsons (1906–1979) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 William Parsons (1873–1918) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Ralph Partridge (1894–1960) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Kathleen Pelham Burn (1887–1966) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Roland Penrose (1900–1984) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Rosamond Pinchot (1904–1938) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 David Plunket Greene (1904–1941) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Olivia Plunket Greene (1907–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Hon. Agatha Runcible in Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 A Little Learning by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Richard Plunket Greene (1901–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters 
 
 Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Poldowski (1879–1932) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Arthur Ponsonby (1871–1946) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Society in London[23] 
 
 Elizabeth Ponsonby (1900–1940) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Society in London[23] 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Loelia Ponsonby (1902–1993) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Matthew Ponsonby (1904–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Anthony Powell (1905–2000) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Isobel Tolland in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 John Pratt (1899–1983) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1934, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Denis Pritt (1887–1972) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Kenneth Widmerpool in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 J. B. Priestley (1894–1984) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alan Pryce-Jones (1908–2000) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Peter Quennell (1905–1993) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Mark Members in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Terence Rattigan (1911–1977) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gabrielle Ray (1883–1973) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Maurice Richardson (1907–1978) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Paul Robeson (1898–1976) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Peter Rodd (1904–1968) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lady Beech in Pigeon Pie by Nancy Mitford 
 
 Christian Talbot in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Lord Rennell's Son Engaged[24] 
 
 Oriel Ross (1907–1994) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 John Rothenstein (1901–1992) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Kennerley Rumford (1870–1957) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Elizabeth Russell (1899–1986) Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Gordon Russell (1892–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alison Ruthven (1902–1974) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Peggy Ruthven (1902–1974) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Amusing Turns Brighten Coming-of-Age Party[12] 
 
 Edward Sackville-West (1901–1965) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 David Warbeck in The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Vita Sackville-West (1892–1962) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Patrick Seely (1905–1966) Portraits: 
 
 1935, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Alison Settle (1891–1980) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Norma Shearer (1902–1983) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Edith Sitwell (1887–1964) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lady Harriett Finnian-Shaw in The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Georgia Sitwell (1906–1980) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Osbert Sitwell (1892–1969) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Osmund Finnian-Shaw in The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Sacheverell Sitwell (1897–1988) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Phoebus Finnian-Shaw in The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Barbara Skelton (1916–1996) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Pamela Flitton in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Eleanor Smith (1902–1945) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Eminent Victorians[21] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1930, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Pamela Smith (1915–1982) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Eminent Victorians[21] 
 
 F. E. Smith (1872–1930) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Rex Mottram in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 C. P. Snow (1905–1980) Fictional Characters: 
 
 J G Quiggin in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Philip Snowden (1864–1937) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Oscar Solbert (1885–1958) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Bright Young People of the Rising Generation[11] 
 
 Ivor Spencer-Churchill (1898–1956) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1931, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Stephen Spender (1909–1995) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Mark Members in A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell 
 
 Bernard Spilsbury (1877–1947) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 J. C. Squire (1884–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Jeanne Stourton (1913-1987) Portraits: 
 
 1933, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Alix Strachey (1892–1973) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 John Strachey (1901–1963) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Lytton Strachey (1880–1932) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Matthew Plunkett in The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis 
 
 Cedric Furber in The Self-Condemned by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1937, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Lois Sturt (1900–1937) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 British Girl Holds Record as Art Model[25] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1929, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Napier Sturt (1896–1940) Newspaper articles: 
 
 British Girl Holds Record as Art Model[25] 
 
 Eileen Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1891–1943) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1888–1963) Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 John Sutro (1903–1985) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Christopher Sykes (1907–1986) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 A. J. A. Symons (1900–1941) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Julian Symons (1912–1994) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Stephen Tallents (1884–1958) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Paul Tanqueray (1905–1941) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 A. J. P. Taylor (1906–1990) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 David Tennant (1902–1968) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Blackout of the Hon. Elizabeth's Wild 20-year-party[15] 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1927, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Stephen Tennant (1906–1987) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lord Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 
 
 Ernest Thesiger (1897–1961) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 J. H. Thomas (1874–1949) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Henry Thynne (1905–1992) Books: 
 
 Brian Howard: Portrait of a Failure By Marie-Jaqueline Lancaster[9] 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1940, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Dorothy Todd (b. 1883) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Iris Tree (1897–1978) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 Viola Tree (1884–1938) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Violet Trefusis (1894–1972) Fictional Characters: 
 
 Lady Montdore in Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford[17] 
 
 Sophie Tucker (1887–1966) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Clarita de Uriburu (1908–1995) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty of Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Francis Fortescue Urquhart (1868–1934) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Carl Van Vechten (1880–1964) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877–1964) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Hugh Wade (1907–1949) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Edward Wadsworth (1889–1949) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 William Walton (1902–1983) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 George Ward (1907–1988) Portraits: 
 
 Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Georgina Ward (1846–1929) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Peter Watson (1908–1956) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alec Waugh (1898–1981) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Arthur Waugh (1866–1943) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Rex Whistler (1905–1944) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alice White (1904–1983) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Dolly Wilde (1895–1941) Books: 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Ellen Wilkinson (1891–1947) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Harold Wilson (1916–1995) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Alastair Windsor (1914–1943) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Portraits: 
 
 1936, Anthony Wysard (1907-1984)[13] 
 
 Edward, Prince of Wales (1894–1972) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Young People Take Big Treasure Hunt[18] 
 
 Flaming Youth tries Britain's Patience[22] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 P. G. Wodehouse (1881–1975) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Elsie de Wolfe (1859–1950) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Showing Aside the Jazz Set in English Society[19] 
 
 Anna May Wong (1905–1961) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Edward Wood (1881–1959) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Douglas Woodruff (1897–1978) Books: 
 
 The Brideshead Generation: Evelyn Waugh and His Friends by Humphrey Carpenter[8] 
 
 Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Fictional Characters: 
 
 Mrs Rhoda Hyman in The Roaring Queen by Wyndham Lewis[17] 
 
 Elinor Wylie (1885–1928) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Olivia Wyndham (1897–1967) Books: 
 
 Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age by D.J. Taylor 
 
 Script Doctors and Vicious Addicts[16] 
 
 Newspaper articles: 
 
 Mozart Fancy Dress Concert is Picturesque[10] 
 
 London Society's Thrilling All-Night Treasure Hunts[14] 
 
 Pamela Wyndham (1871–1928) Books: 
 
 The Book of Beauty by Cecil Beaton[7] 

 "I've always been Gaga," Lady Gaga told Rolling Stone in 2009, and spiritually speaking, she may be right. But for most of her life she was Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta—"Stef" to her friends. It was one of those friends, her ex-boyfriend and former manager, Rob Fusari, who gave the singer her nom de guerre, by accident, in 2004. Fusari sent Germanotta a text message that read, simply, "Radio Gaga," a reference to the 1984 hit by Queen. Or rather, Fusari tried to text "Radio Gaga"—his cellphone autocorrected "Radio" to "Lady." Germanotta had been looking for a stage name, and "Lady Gaga" had the right ring. Fusari told an interviewer: "She texted me back. 'That's it.' After that day she was Lady Gaga. She's like, 'Don't ever call me Stefani again.' " 
 
 As pop-star aliases go, Lady Gaga is awfully good—an ideal combination of regal and ridiculous. It pays tribute to Queen's Freddie Mercury, the glam rock titan who is audibly one of Gaga's heroes. The honorific Lady strikes the right note of diva-ish pretension; there's a hint of Dada in Gaga. 
 
 But there's also 2,600 years of history in it. Did Germanotta know that she was not the first Lady Gaga—that she was staking claim to a title previously held by a Babylonian slave owner, an Irish-born French noblewoman, and a fictional habitué of the Roaring Twenties London party scene? 
 
 The first Lady Gaga enters the historical record in a letter, inscribed on Babylonian cuneiform tablet, dating from the sixth century B.C., probably during the reign of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The letter, addressed from Gaga to her father, Sa-pi-Bel, concerns minor domestic matters. It begins with Gaga chastising Sa-pi-Bel for not having written her recently—"Why … have my daughters and I passed the time in thirst for a letter from thee? Rack thy brains (for an excuse). ..."—before asking for advice about some stolen fruit. Evidently, this same Babylonian Gaga owned a Jewish slave named Barachiel, who several years after Gaga's death unsuccessfully petitioned a Babylonian court for his freedom, in what may be history's first recorded fugitive slave case. 
 
 It is because of another legal entanglement that we know about a second Lady Gaga—a certain Madame de Gaga, who crops up in London court records from 1839. The case of De Gaga v. The Duke of Leinster was a complicated affair, involving French dowry law and the purchase of a house on the Rue D'Anjou in Paris. Although the paper trail reveals little about Madame de Gaga, we can infer at least one similarity with the singer of "Poker Face." Like Stefani Germanotta, Madame de Gaga was a bootstrapper, a Gaga by choice: She was born Matilda Fitzgerald in County Kildare, Ireland, and attained her aristocratic title when she married the Chevalier de Gaga in 1817. 
 
 Advertisement 
 
 
 
 A century later, we come to a third Lady Gaga, who in several respects eerily anticipates the 2011 version. This Gaga showed up in the April 24, 1929 issue of Punch, the humor magazine that was devoted to skewering the follies of London society. Punch's Lady Gaga was fictional, the lead character in a satire that took aim at the so-called Bright Young People, a brigade of bohemians and socialites whose aggressively post-Victorian antics caught the spirit of London's Jazz Age. 
 
 For several years, into the 1930s, the Bright Young People captivated London's gossip columnists with a series of "freak" or "stunt" parties—themed soirees featuring elaborate costumes, cross-dressing, wild animals, and outlandish musical entertainment. Guests at the Second Childhood Party arrived at a posh Knightsbridge townhouse in oversized prams. For the Wild West Party, flappers traded in their Parisian frocks for chaps and boots. There was a Bottle and Pyjama Party (booze and sleepwear), a Bath and Bottle Party (booze, swimming pool), a Mozart Party (powdered wigs). At the Circus Party, held in July of 1929, the musical entertainment included a jazz orchestra and an accordion quartet. There was a dancing bear on hand, and a Siberian wolf, and a seal. 
 
 In the Punch satire, "The Dull Young People: A Study at a Stunt-Party," the unnamed narrator gains entry to an exclusive gathering hosted by "The Honorable Batsine Belfrage and her husband 'Bobo,' whose sobriquet has attained the dignity of recognition by all the smartest paragraphists of the dance-club Press." The narrator's escort is a blue-blooded party-girl with a slangy vocabulary ("Aren't they too ultra-super?") and a lust for publicity. Her name? "Lady Gaga." 
 
 "It was terribly difficult for me to get you a card," said Lady Gaga as she steered me dexterously in her pink two-seater through the mazes of after-theatre traffic; "but, my dear, I get away with it. I told them you wrote for the papers. "You're still in the thirties," she went on severely, "yet you're so Victorian! And I'm determined you shall meet some of the Bright Young People." 
 
 Like Slate Culture on Facebook. Follow Slate on Twitter. 
 
 Like This Story Follow Slate's Culturebox
– The birth of her name is already becoming a 21st-century legend: In 2004 Stefani Germanotta's ex texted her "Radio Gaga"—just a simple reference to Queen's 1984 hit. Except the phone autocorrected "Radio" to "Lady." She saw it, and Lady Gaga was born. For the fourth time. Slate writer Jody Rosen dusted off the annals of history to paint the colorful portraits of the three who have come before her in the last 2,600 years: a slave-owner in ancient Babylonia, an Irish countrywoman who gained the aristocratic title Madame de Gaga through marriage in 1817, and a fictional ‘20s flapper and socialite. It's the last Gaga who the bears the most resemblance to the modern-day Gaga, writes Rosen. The third Gaga was born into the world via the pages of an April 1929 issue of Punch, a British humor magazine. This Lady Gaga was "the lead character in a satire that took aim at the so-called Bright Young People," as the young aristocrats and socialites of the age were known. Tell me this doesn't sound a bit like the Gaga you know and love: The Bright Young People threw "freak" or "stunt" parties—"themed soirees featuring elaborate costumes, cross-dressing, wild animals, and outlandish musical entertainment." Furthermore, this "blue-blooded party-girl" had a "slangy vocabulary ('Aren't they too ultra-super?') and a lust for publicity." Gaga, meet Gaga. (Click to read Rosen's entire column, which goes into great detail.)