#15 A Self Declared Countess & An Heiress Determined To Spend It All On Charity Artwork

Mostly Unsung

The weekly podcast that brings you bitesize biographies of the extraordinary, eccentric, outrageous and occasionally ordinary lives that until now have gone mostly unsung... mostly.

All Episodes

Mostly Unsung

#15 A Self Declared Countess & An Heiress Determined To Spend It All On Charity

July 25, 2025 • Mostly Unsung • Season 1 • Episode 15

Hey there listeners, ready for some new historical biographies? This week was an accidental LGBT celebration with two feel good stories from history to start your weekend with a smile!

Join Andrea as she tells us all about the creepers she used to Salsa with, then heads to gay Paris! Heavy emphasis on the gay, as we join The Countess, an author recording her heat warming coming out story in the trans community of 19th Century France. Expect Champagne, frilled robes, and a sing-a-long or two.

Then Annie takes us home to England. Ever heard of the Coutts Banking Dynasty? A young woman becomes exceedingly wealthy and teaches the billionaires of today a thing or two about charity. She doesn't have to do it alone though, she has a room mate to offer her support! Generosity, a kind world view and a stack of cheques help leave the world a better place.

Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Countess_(courtesan)

https://trans-express.lgbt/post/615635917396459520/great-thread-by-cn-lester-over-at-twitter-note

https://outhistory.org/items/show/1323

https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/17/monograph/chapter/560217

Annie used these sources:

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Angela-Burdett-Coutts/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Angela-Georgina-Burdett-Coutts-Baroness-Burdett-Coutts

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://bsky.app/profile/mostlyunsung.bsky.social