Elizabeth Robins was born in America, but spent much of her time in England, returning to the United States for long visits. She started her career as an actress, her search for serious parts for women resulting in her being the first to play Hedda Gabler in Britain. She became a key figure in theatre management of the fin de siecle.

She was also a writer of substance whose publications included polemical works, short stories and novels. One of her plays, Votes for Women! instigated suffrage drama. As a suffragette Robins worked alongside the Pankhursts in the Women's Social and Political Union. She remained an active and lifelong feminist, especially concerned with women's health issues.

This new biography examines historical identities, asking how and why Elizabeth Robins chose to present herself in the ways she did at different times throughout her life. It also considers how others interpreted her, and in the process it re-evaluates the purpose of historical biography.

Drawing extensively on Robins's diary, letters, drafts of novels, reviews and many other sources from her and her contemporaries' papers in the United States, Britain and elsewhere, Angela John's portrait demonstrates the multi-faceted nature of Elizabeth Robins's life. This stimulating biography also provides a fascinating study of the political and cultural periods in which Elizabeth Robins moved.