Herstory: Jessica Mitford

Jessica as a young woman, William Acton, Wikimedia

You’ve probably heard lots about the famed Mitford sisters. The exploits and legacies of this aristocratic family of controversial debutantes are a favourite subject for writers, film, TV and theatre makers.

Lots of attention has been given to Unity and Diana, (the Nazi and Fascist respectively) and Nancy the successful novelist. But Jessica’s story I think is one of the most interesting - if not for its many twists and turns against a backdrop of the most important political and social events of the 20th Century. Because she wasn’t just ‘Decca the Communist’ she was a muckraker, a writer, a civil rights activist and even a pop star!  In the wake of a new biography of her by Carla Kaplan - “Troublemaker” - Jessica is kicking off 2026’s Herstories this January.

The Red Sheep

Jessica Mitford was born on 11th September 1917. All the sisters had nicknames, and hers was ‘Decca’.  She was the second youngest of the 6 sisters, and from a young age she was restless, and wanted to see the world outside of her cloistered, privileged existence- which for girls of her class - was mainly the confines of the Mitford estate and grounds, her family and her governesses.  She was desperate to go to school, but wasn't allowed. At the age of 12 she opened a ‘running away’ bank account(!)

Unable to go out into the world, there was nothing to stop Jessica reading about it. So she voraciously consumed newspapers. And this was how she discovered the British class system, that Britain was in an economic depression in the ’20’s, and of course; the ideas of communism and socialism. From a tender age, her social and political conscience was awakened. 

The Mitford sisters 1930's: Jessica, Nancy, Diana, Unity, Pamela. Wikimedia

This caused inevitable clashes with her family even when she was just a young adolescent. She shared a room with her closest sibling Unity, who became a fully fledged Nazi and adored Hitler, espousing completely opposite views to Jessica. The girls resolved this by drawing a line of chalk separating the room down the middle - on one side were swastikas, on the other side hammer and sickles (allegedly carved using Jessica’s diamond rings - love the irony!). You might’ve been forgiven for thinking this was a passing teenage fad on the part of both the girls. I mean, I went through a goth, veggie and hippy phase as a teen -  but this was different.

Jessica’s heritage as a member of the English upper class unsurprisingly did not sit well with her new-found class-conscience and adherence to communism.  She renounced her upbringing, which caused tensions with her parents and siblings. Not least Diana - who was having an affair with (and eventually married) the leader of the Blackshirts, Oswald Moseley. Jessica was to be permanently estranged from Diana as a result. 

Essentally, Jessica wanted out of the family home, and from a family that she felt were bonafide fascists, racists, elitists and antisemites.  But she was not yet at majority and still trapped.

Esmond and Jessica, Tatler, 1940

Viva Espana!

At 19, rescue came in the form of her second cousin Esmond Romilly. Jessica fell in love with him, cashed in her ‘running away’ funds and eloped with him to Spain where they married. He had been fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and Jessica must’ve been filled with excitement to finally escape her gilded cage and go out into the real world! 

After Spain,  they moved back to England, but not as comfortable aristocrats. They moved into a humble dwelling in London’s poverty stricken East End. They had a daughter, Julia, who only lived a few months after contracting fatal measles. Her death must’ve greatly traumatised Jessica, because she never mentioned her by name again. A year after Julia’s death in 1939 and at the outbreak of WW2, the Romillys emigrated to the USA. Esmond joined the Canadian Airforce, and Jessica stayed in Washington DC, giving birth to another daughter called Constancia in 1941. That same year, Esmond went missing in action- the second tragedy to befall Jessica in three years. 

Jessica and Robert, Jane Bown, 1970's (source: Guardian)

Rebel with a Cause 

But it was towards the end of the War that Jessica’s life was set to change once again. She helped with the war effort, and through this endeavour met her second husband, civil rights campaigner Robert Treuhaft. They married in 1943 and she became a US citizen in 1944, settling in California. They had two sons. Robert helped Jessica develop her career in left wing politics. They both became active members of the Communist Party in 1943, and Jessica worked for the Civil Rights Congress. This was at the height of the Red Scare in America, and McCarthyism. Jessica and Robert had to testify before the House of Un-American Activities (HCUA) but did not snitch on any of their communist friends. 

In 1955 Jessica tragically lost another child far too young. Her eldest son Nicholas died at 11 after being hit by a bus. 

In the Line of Fire

In 1961 Jessica’s activism nearly got her killed by the Ku Klux Klan. She had travelled to Alabama with protestors and they were set upon by KKK members who started a riot. Later she went to a rally held by Martin Luther King that was also attacked by the Klan. Jessica and her group had to barricade themselves inside a Church until the military arrived. It was a close call. 

After the race riots, Jessica got involved in investigative journalism. She’d already had high-profile writing contracts for the Washington Post and The Enquirer. Her first article concerned the exploitative funeral industry in America, and it prompted TV appearances and her publication of a book called The American Way of Death which became a bestseller. A coffin was even named after Jessica! Buoyed by her success, Jessica continued to write exposes of public injustices throughout the 1960’s and '70's. She also taught seminars and courses at top US universities on how to be an investigative journalist. 

Jessica at a book signing in the 1970's. (Photo source Alchetron.com)

Jessica wrote her second memoir in 1977 (her first in 1961). This one was a comical critique of her experience in the Communist Party USA (which she eventually left). The book really shows off her wicked sense of humour and witty retorts to some of the more conservative members of the party. Although some of her ‘jokes’ were a little controversial.  She caused a brouhaha when she printed an event poster with GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! emblazoned on it, to attract attention. An effective marketing tactic as it immediately brings to mind the neon signs of the Red Light District;  but was quite scandalous for a political party (not to mention certain feminist-leaning members of the caucus). 

Popstar Mitford

Things get a little surreal at the end of Jessica’s life. In the ’90’s (when she was in her 70’s)  she forms a band called Decca and the Dectones, becomes the lead singer, and records a couple of albums.  The songs were Beatles parodies.  She performed at charity benefits and even opened for Cyndi Lauper’s gig in San Francisco (!). I’ve listened to a couple of her tracks. I can only assume her dabble in the music industry was part of her gallows humour and maybe even part of her Things to Try Before you Die list or something (basically, "don't give up your day job, Decca” springs to mind…😂) 

If you haven’t heard them, brace yourselves for something you will never un-hear...

Even more bizarrely, Decca and her mate Maya Angelou (Yes, renowned African-American writer and activist) sang a version of Bernard Cribbins’ Right Said Fred. They even donned faux-cockney accents for the occasion. Here is that wonder for you to delight yourself with:

Death and legacy 

Just a year after her foray into pop stardom, Jessica died (it was unrelated!). She had a modest funeral as befitted her wishes and principles, and her ashes were scattered out to sea. 

Even though she renounced her background and money, Jessica’s inherited name and status meant that doors were inevitably opened for her where they wouldn’t have been for others of more humble origins, but similar aspirations.   I couldn't help thinking that her entry into Civil War Spain, The US, her acquittal by the HCUA during McCarthyism, her rescue from the KKK, and even her entry into writing, teaching and the music industry would never have happened had she not been a Mitford. She also was never a particularly warm parent (probably influenced by her own parents I’d imagine)  and there are questionable anecdotes about her sense of entitlement in action.  Plus, for many, communism is bad! (But hey, even if you’re not a fan of communism -  at least she wasn’t on that side of history, like some of her sisters!).  

Whether we sympathise with Jessica’s views and actions or not, it’s hard not to admire her extraordinary life and frankly, her pluck. Being born into early 20th century English aristocracy was hard  - expectations were high and norms were rigid. Like her sisters, Jessica fought against them and carved her own way in the world, despite numerous  personal tragedies and adversities. And always with her trademark morbid wit. 

And in the end, she made sure she had the last laugh. In two ways.

Firstly, she ordered that after her death a letter would be sent to the biggest funeral corporation in the US demanding reimbursement for all the publicity she had brought them from her investigative journalism. 

Secondly, her daughter Constancia went on to have two children with African American civil rights Director James Forman. James Forman Jr is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and Chaka Forman is an actor. Jessica’s bi-racial descendants embody a final 'two fingered salute' against her elitist, racist background.  

I’m sure Jessica is chuckling from beyond the grave somewhere. Like she said of her own planned funeral “Goodness, I wish I could be there”. 

James Forman Jr in 2018 (wikimedia) and Chaka Forman in 2021 (Southernonline.com)