Career
She was the editor of a fashion magazine titled The World of Dress, author of books on costume and motoring, and a society hostess. She was also the long-time lover of Henry Irving, from the 1890s until his death in 1905. Mrs Aria"s literary and artistic salon included H. G. Wells, Isidore de Lara, and C. R. West. Nevinson who painted a view of Fitzroy Square from the window of her flat.
She sent her great-nieces a collection of autographs that looked like the Milky Way." Mrs Aria"s sister Julia Frankau "was wont to say, "Unless Eliza receives each morning four letters from leading actresses which commence "Dearest" she looks unhappy."" "All celebrated people," commented Pamela Frankau, "were called "Darling" by Aunt Eliza, and in her presence at least greeted one another by the same title.
So much so that, leaving Buckingham Gate on one occasion, the copywriter said to a taxi-driver during controversy, "I did hail you first, darling.""
Eliza Aria went with actor Frank Vosper to attend the London opening night of the stage play Grand Hotel, and died at the Adelphi Theatre just before the curtain went up – ""Which is odd because I have often heard her say she would like to die in a theatre."".
