"Quite capable of being Governor...herself": the Northern Irish Governorship and the influence of the governors' wives

These questions are approached from several thematic perspectives, including an analysis of their social positioning in ceremonial occasions, their philanthropic and voluntary involvement, their management of Hillsborough Castle, which acted as Government House, and their role as social and political hostess within these spaces.<br><br>Significantly, between 1922 and 1972 the roles of these five women were characterised by gendered understandings of ‘women’s occupations’.

However, the individual approach of these women also shaped their experience as wife to the governor and this thesis traces how this position developed in line with their individual personalities, social status and interests. This thesis thus provides an analysis of both the collective and individual experiences of these women and argues that despite their social positioning as the wife of a public figure and their lack of official position, they contributed to the public image of the Northern Irish governorship and made it more impactful thanit may otherwise have been.<br><br><i>Thesis embargoed until 31 December 2027</i>.<br><br><br>