Royal Asiatic Society Beijing Zoom Event – Nick Hodern in Conversation with Paul French about Shanghai Demimondaine – November 1 2023

Posted: October 27th, 2023 | No Comments »

You’ve probably read famous Shanghailander writer Emily Hahn’s novel “Miss Jill” — now hear author Nick Hordern discuss with Paul French the real-life character upon whom Miss Jill was based. Lorraine Murphy’s life unfolded during the turbulence of 1930’s Shanghai, and later in well-heeled London society. There’s even a Royal Asiatic Society connection.

WHAT: In conversation with Paul French, author Nick Hordern discusses his new book Shanghai Demimondaine: From Sex Worker to Society Matron (online)

WHEN: Nov. 1, 2023 Wednesday 7:00-8:00 PM Beijing Time

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Author Nick Hordern’s conversation with Paul French will focus on the extraordinary hidden life of Australian Lorraine Murray (1910-2000), the model for the titular character in Emily Hahn’s 1947 novel “Miss Jill”. In 1931 Lorraine travelled to Canada, where she became the mistress of the Japanese diplomat Tokugawa Iemasa. When their relationship ended, she was passing through Shanghai on her way home to Australia when she stayed over, subsequently drifting into the sex industry. In 1936, supported by businessman Edmund Toeg, she quit the brothel where she had been working, but struggled to find a new path, until the American journalist and author Emily Hahn took her under her wing. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two, during which Emily guided Lorraine away from a life of banality.

As an eyewitness to the 1937 Battle of Shanghai, Lorraine’s horizons began to open out and a series of relationships with journalists – Italian, Japanese and above all with Emily – introduced her to a broader world. Lorraine spent WWII in Australia, including a stint as an informant for a counter-intelligence agency. After the war she joined Emily in England and reconnected with Edmund Toeg; the two married and settled in London, where she re-invented herself as a Knightsbridge society matron. At one point she worked in the library of the Royal Asiatic Society in London.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Nick Hordern studied history at the University of Sydney before joining the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. Postings in Pakistan and Sri Lanka were followed by a stint as a political staffer in Canberra. He then moved across to journalism, working for the Australian Financial Review for sixteen years in various positions, including as Senior Writer. In 2013 he left the newspaper to write full-time; his previous books include two histories: “Sydney Noir: The Golden Years” and “World War Noir: Sydney’s Unpatriotic War”

HOW MUCH: This online event is free for members of RASBJ and of RAS branches in London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul, as a courtesy; RMB 100 for non-members. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at http://rasbj.org/membership/

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click “Register” or “I will attend” and follow the instructions. After successful registration you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the event. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

Members of RAS in London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul: Please register at least 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You’ll receive several emails from RASBJ; please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

REFUND POLICY: Attendees will be refunded in full if RASBJ cancels the event. Registrations for those who have not paid by noon, October 30 will be cancelled. If you registered/paid but discover you cannot attend, please let us know before noon October 30 by emailing communications@rasbj.org RASBJ will offer your spot to others, and you’ll be refunded if someone takes it.

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