‘French lady seeks … ’: finding work as a French governess in late Victorian and Edwardian England (1870–1914)

Abstract

While the presence of thousands of French governesses in Britain at any given time between 1870 and 1914 is well-known, and despite the significant scholarly literature examining governesses as well as cross-Channel grassroots exchanges in the Late-Victorian and Edwardian periods, little is known about the realities of these women’s lives. They remain largely invisibilised by stereotypes of sensuousness—if not deviancy—constructed by contemporary literature and the sensationalist press in their portrayals of French governesses. This article lays the foundations of a sociodemographic study of these migrant workers, mapping out their presence across Britain and highlighting the wide range of occupational contexts within which they operated. Focusing on their job search process and challenging narratives stressing their lack of professionalism, the article stresses their skills and agency. It highlights the personal and professional networks which they mobilised in order to navigate life in Britain and gain an understanding of the highly competitive governess labour market. Examining the job advertisements placed by would-be French governesses testifies to their deftness in gauging and trying to meet employers’ expectations—which in turn contributes to understanding these women as skilled intercultural operators.