Join us as we explore Amelia Earhart’s visits to London in the 1920s and 1930s, from her social work inspirations at Toynbee Hall to the glamour of Selfridges, where her plane went on display. Discover how tea with the Prime Minister, appearances at Wimbledon and Ascot, and encounters with figures like Winston Churchill and Lady Astor shaped her public image and revealed the scale of her fame. Perfect for history enthusiasts, aviation fans, and anyone curious about the making of a modern icon.
Episode 155: Tea with Churchill: Amelia Earhart’s London Story
Host: Hazel Baker
Hazel is an active Londoner, a keen theatre-goer and qualified CIGA London tour guide.
She has won awards for tour guiding and is proud to be involved with some great organisations. She is a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and am an honorary member of The Leaders Council.
Channel 5’s Walking Wartime Britain(Episode 3) and Yesterday Channel’s The Architecture the Railways Built (Series 3, Episode 7). Het Rampjaar 1672, Afl. 2: Vijand Engeland and Arte.fr Invitation au Voyage, À Chelsea, une femme qui trompe énormément.
Guest: Rachel Hartigan
Rachel Hartigan is a journalist and author of Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life. Her work explores both Earhart’s remarkable aviation career and the enduring mysteries surrounding her final flight.
Rachel’s research focuses on Earhart’s visits to London after her record-breaking transatlantic flights in 1928 and 1932, examining how the city both shaped and reflected her rising fame. She delves into Earhart’s interactions with prominent figures, London society, and the media, bringing to life the experiences that transformed her into a global icon.
When not researching or writing, Rachel enjoys uncovering stories of historical figures, blending cultural insight with narrative to illuminate the past for modern audiences.
Hazel Baker: Hi, I’m Hazel Baker, podcast host and London tour guide at londonguidedwalks.co.uk, and you’re listening to the London History Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by journalist and author Rachel Hartigan. Her new book, Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life, dives into both Amelia Earhart’s incredible career and the enduring mysteries surrounding her final flight.
Cover of Lost Book | Photo by Rachel Hartigan
Host Hazel Baker interviews journalist and author Rachel Hardigan about her book “Lost Amelia Earhart’s: Three mysterious deaths and one extraordinary life,” focusing on Earhart’s London connections and how the city revealed the scale of her sudden fame. They discuss Earhart’s 1928 transatlantic crossing on the Friendship (as a passenger) that landed in Wales before continuing to Southampton, and how London’s elite embraced her with events like Ascot, Wimbledon, and appearances alongside figures including Winston Churchill and Lady Astor. The episode highlights Earhart’s visit to Toynbee Hall, reflecting her settlement-house social work roots, and her 1932 return after a solo Atlantic flight, including Selfridges displaying her plane and providing her clothes. They compare British and American press portrayals, explore sources used in research, and consider Earhart’s legacy on gender, celebrity, and aviation optimism.
00:00 Amelia Meets London
01:48 Rachel’s Earhart Journey
03:31 The 1928 Atlantic Crossing
07:58 London Welcomes a Star
10:52 Toynbee Hall Roots
13:54 Selfridges and Style
15:36 Mixing With Power
17:39 Fame and the Press
21:21 Researching the Record
26:07 Legacy and London Today
29:07 Wrap Up and Where to Find
