Matilda Betham-Edwards, Franco-British Cultural Go-between

Matilda Betham-Edwards was a nineteenth-century writer who represented France to the British public in articles in reviews, magazines and books. After her death in 1919 her work seemed to have disappeared entirely from view until the publication of Joan Rees’s 2006 biography. In 1908, however, a month before the opening of the Franco-British Exhibition at the White City, it was reported that because of her long career and her services to FrancoBritish understanding, Betham-Edwards would have an exhibit devoted to her work. Her work was appreciated during her lifetime, both officially as well as by her readers, as in 1891 she was promoted Officier de l’Instruction publique, a signal French honour believed to be the first such award granted to a British person. This article explores how she explained the French to the British as well as the nature of her contribution to the Entente cordiale.Matilda Betham-Edwards expliquait les Fran ais et la culture, et la société, fran aises au public britannique dans les revues, les magazines et les livres. Après sa mort en 1919, son uvre semblait avoir disparu entièrement, du moins jusqu’à la publication de la biographie de Joan Rees en 2006. En 1908 pourtant, un mois avant l’ouverture de l’Exposition franco-britannique à la White City de Londres, pour marquer sa longue carrière et ses services au rapprochement franco-britannique, il fut annoncé que BethamEdwards serait honorée d’une présentation de ses livres. Son uvre fut appréciée de son vivant tant par les autorités que par son audience, car en 1891 elle fut promue Officier de l’Instruction publique, honneur jamais accordé jusque-là à un citoyen britannique. Cet article étudie comment elle représentait les Fran ais aux Britanniques, ainsi que la nature de sa contribution à l’Entente cordiale.