Last of the Dandies by Nick Foulkes (2003)

Subtitle: The Scandalous Life and Escapades of Count d'Orsay. One of those interesting titles I found while browsing the library shelves, I checked it out, skimmed it, but never did read it. This is a researched book on an interesting character. "D'Orsay dominated fashion during the 1830's and 40's, scandalizsing the part of polite society that he did not charm. ... His dress sense aside, he painted, he sculpted, he gambled, he shot, he rode, he involved himself in the literary and political life of the day. It is fair to assume that he had affairs with his patron, the free-spending Earl of Blessington, and the earl's wife, prominent hostess Lady Blessington. He also married Lord Blessington's daughter. ... in many ways he was the first modern celebrity..." (from the Preface, ix) My father had a bit of the dandy in him - he like white pants in the summer and liked to be social. But my pile of books to read is too high, so this will just have to go back to the library shelves. Looks like no one else has ever checked it out.