emulate them. She admired the stance of both Hitler and Mussolini against Soviet Russia, believing that its political ambitions presented the greatest threat to the power of Britain and its Empire. She also considered funding Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists with the £200,000 rejected by the Government; however, Mosley's publication, The Blackshirt, printed what she thought were insulting references to her and so she kept the money. Death By the time of the abdication of Edward VIII she was a semi-invalid who spent most of her time in bed, from where she edited and ran the Saturday Review. However, she was so distraught by the abdication, which she believed was the result of sinister forces coming from Moscow, that she stopped eating and died of a heart attack on 29 December 1936, aged 79, at her home, Byron Cottage, Highgate. She had no children and left no will. In popular culture Lady Houston is depicted in the 1942 film The First of the Few, directed by Leslie Howard, showing her support for the development of British aircraft and her anti-government views. She is portrayed by actress Toni Edgar-Bruce. References External links Adventuress, The Life and Loves of Lucy, Lady Houston, by Teresa Crompton (The History Press 2020) A life in aviation by RJ Mitchell (includes a photo of Lady Houston) Cartoon history – "Colonel Blimps' England" – includes several quotations 1931 race (includes another photo of Lady Houston) Photos in the National Portrait Gallery 1857 births 1936 deaths Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire British philanthropists British publishers (people) British suffragists People from Lambeth People who died on hunger strike Byron Wives of baronets