Talk by Dr Helen Papworth on H M Stanley

The amorous life of a vivacious and talented Welsh neoclassicist painter who eventually became the celebrated wife of world-acclaimed explorer H M Stanley, despite numerous rebuttals of each other’s marriage proposals, was fascinatingly recounted by guest speaker Dr Helen Papworth in a talk to members and guests at an open meeting at Faenol Fawr. Introduced by club treasurer and personal friend John Williams, the speaker swept her absorbed audience through the colourful Victorian times that saw the paths of the central characters repeatedly crisscross before the knot was tied. Although some 14 years younger than Stanley, Dorothy (Dolly)Tennant, who had a penchant for older men, initially fell for the compelling appeal of legendary philanthropist Andrew Carnegie before meeting Denbigh-born Stanley and sharing a cruise around Scotland with him in 1888 that resulted in her spurning his proposal of marriage, much to his considerable fury. Four years later the roles were reversed when this time Stanley refused her marriage proposition despite being assured that she now considered herself worthy of him. Dolly’s persistence finally won through when he subsequently succumbed to her blandishments and accepted her hand, explained the speaker. “They were married at Westminster Abbey and although not blessed with children of their own they did adopt a boy Denzil and could be said to have lived happily ever after.” Appropriately, given his enduring association with the Vale of Clwyd, an exhibition in memory of Henry Morton Stanley is being planned in the former magistrates court building at Denbigh, added Dr Papworth, who was warmly thanked by past President Keith Sanderson for a talk of great interest and hugely enjoyed and endorsed by Senior Vice-President Keith Roberts, who presided.