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1800s: The story of Sir Stamford Raffles and his two wives
Olivia & Sophia
What you need to know before your trail
This historical novel takes the form of two diaries of Sir Stamford Raffles two wives: Olivia and Sophia. When Raffles sets sail from the cold, damp confines of Georgian London to make his name and fortune in the tropics, he takes with him his new wife, Olivia, a raffish beauty with a scandalous past. She infatuates both his closest friend, a poet, and one of his bitterest rivals, a soldier. Raffles sees what is going on, but he turns a blind eye or so hopes Olivia. After Olivia s death, and back on leave in London, Raffles, a man once again in need of a wife, makes a practical marriage. Sophia, no beauty, but curious and intelligent, embraces the opportunity of an exciting life abroad. Marriage brings her great joy but also great sadness. Her life with Raffles becomes a catalogue of loss: of their children, of their possessions, of their savings. And all the while, Raffles, driven and talented, manoeuvres at the centre of global networks of power, trade, politics and diplomacy. His scheming culminates, to his eventual glory, with the founding of a new trading post
Travel Guide
Travel back in time to Java and Singapore during the Dutch East Indies period
A great insight into the 1800’s in Singapore and its environs, as we get to see how the city of Singapore came to be.
All events are recounted through the eyes of Raffles’ two wives. Sophia’s diary shows the most insightful glimpses of the region, and illustrates details such as the jungle treks she undertook with her husband to negotiate with tribesmen. Both women describe the political and historical background to Penang and the early days of Singapore in general.
Sir Stamford Raffles
Sir Stamford Raffles was a British statesman and Lieutenant-Governor of the Dutch East Indies best known for his founding of Singapore and the British Malaya. In 1795, when he was just 14, Raffles started working as a clerk in London for the British East India Company, the trading company that shaped many of Britain’s overseas conquests. In 1805, he was sent to Prince of Wales Island, Malaya, starting his long association with Southeast Asia.
He was heavily involved in the conquest of the Indonesian island of Java from Dutch and French military forces during the Napoleonic Wars.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Olivia and Sophia
Destination: Java, Malaysia (Malaya), Singapore, Sumatra Author/guide: Rosie Milne Departure Time: 1800s
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