S1, E3: Author Amy Gray on Kitty Atholl, A Rebel Female MP in Westminster & Writing Biography

Our host and bestselling author Theo Clarke speaks to Amy Gray, author of Red Duchess: Kitty Atholl, A Rebel in Westminster, published by The History Press in August 2025.Together they discuss the fascinating life of the Duchess of Atholl MP - a woman who defied expectations and challenged convention in politics and beyond. Amy also shares the story behind writing her first book: from discovering the idea, to long hours in archives, to balancing research, writing, work and family life. She also talks about finding a publisher without an agent, the importance of writing the kind of book she wanted to read, and why her next project will be fiction.RED DUCHESS: KITTY ATHOLL, A REBEL IN WESTMINSTERA pioneering female politician who thought women didn’t need the vote; a conservative who shared platforms with communists; a shy public speaker who travelled the world speaking for Spanish refugees - the formidable Duchess of Atholl was full of contradictions.Born into an ancient Scottish family and married to a philandering duke, Kitty rose above the constraints of class and convention to become a tireless advocate for women and children. By her election as the first Scottish female MP in 1923, she was already one of the most prominent women in Scotland – and that was before she shocked Westminster with outspoken rebellions against her own government.She stood with Spanish refugees and challenged fascism, visited war zones and campaigned with her political opponents, criticised tyrants and wrote her own political playbook. In Red Duchess, Kitty Atholl’s extraordinary life is brought into the spotlight she has long deserved – a compelling story of courage, conviction and a woman who refused to play by the rules.BIOGRAPHYAmy Gray is the author of Red Duchess: Kitty Atholl, A Rebel in Westminster, published in August 2025. She has spent fifteen years working in public affairs and politics and has stood for Parliament twice. After a brief stint as a teacher, she now balances freelance work, writing, and family life. Amy splits her time between Cambridge and Scotland with her husband and two children.🖋️ Instagram & Bluesky: @amygraywritesABOUT THE HOSTTheo Clarke hosts A Thread of One’s Own and the hit podcast Breaking the Taboo. She is the bestselling author of Breaking the Taboo: Why We Need to Talk About Birth Trauma. Theo was formerly the Member of Parliament for Stafford and won Speech of the Year at the Parliamentarian of the Year Awards. She has twice been listed among the Top 100 Women in Westminster (2024 & 2025).Follow @theoclarkemp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theodoraclarke.substack.com