In this episode of Biographers in Conversation, award-winning political historian and biographer Dr Judith Brett chats with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about her choices while crafting Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism and Body Politics.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
How Judith Brett discovered Beatrice Faust’s story.
Why Judith was inspired to craft Fearless Beatrice Faust.
How Beatrice Faust captu...
In this episode of Biographers in Conversation, award-winning political historian and biographer Dr Judith Brett chats with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about her choices while crafting Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism and Body Politics.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
- How Judith Brett discovered Beatrice Faust’s story.
- Why Judith was inspired to craft Fearless Beatrice Faust.
- How Beatrice Faust captures a vivid chapter of Australia’s feminist history.
- How in 1972, Beatrice Faust founded the Women’s Electoral Lobby, empowering Australian women voters and challenging politicians to listen.
- The tension between Faust’s bold public crusades and the private struggles she concealed.
- Why Brett structured Fearless Beatrice Faust around themes instead of a timeline, complete with provocative chapter titles like ‘Becoming Notorious’ to highlight the recurring battles in Faust’s life.
- The psychological depth behind Faust’s fiery persona, from her rebellious intellect and fierce independence to the vulnerable moments that fuelled her passion.
- How Judith Brett balances her authorial voice with Beatrice’s unique voice to create a biography that’s both captivating and scholarly.
- Why Beatrice Faust’s fearless fight for women’s rights is as vital in 2025 as it was in 1972.
View more