Where Violet Shillito Lived

Violet Shillito was also an expatriate, like Renée Vivien and the other wealthy lesbians she associated with. Shillito was neighbors with Natalie Barney, one of Renée Vivien's lovers, and both of their families settled in Paris around the same time, moving between the United States and France for business. Similar to Vivien, Shillito was educated at a boarding school in France, exposing them both early on to the Parisian life that they would both later seek out. Living at 23 Avenue Foch, Shillito was close to Vivien, as she also lived there during her teenage years. They had what was described as an "ambiguous and intense romantic relationship." Vivien despaired when Violet died of typhoid fever in Cannes in 1901, which contributed to her split with Natalie Barney in the same year. Thereafter, Vivien would use imagery of violets throughout her poetry, which is thought to be a tribute to Shillito. Vivien was even given the nickname "the Muse of the Violets" due to their frequent appearance in her work.

Text and Image Source:

Rolle, Elisa. “Violet Shillito.” Queer Places. Accessed December 15, 2021. http://www.elisarolle.com/queerplaces/uvwxyz/Violet%20Shillito.html.