56. Elvira Barney - Accidental Killer
From Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley by BBC Radio 4
January 27, 2026 · 28 min
About this episode
Lucy Worsley explores the case of Elvira Barney, a socialite accused of murder in 1930s London.
This time, Lucy is exploring the story of Elvira Barney, a rich socialite in 1930s London, living a life of fast cars, cocktail parties and nightclubs. When her boyfriend Michael dies of a gunshot wound during a drunken row with Elvira, she finds herself in the dock at the Old Bailey, accused of his murder. Can her barrister convince the court it was a tragic accident? With Lucy to find out more about the case of Elvira Barney is the journalist and novelist Rachel Johnson. Together they explore Elvira’s drug and drink-fuelled lifestyle and discover how this case gave ordinary people struggling with the economic depression of the 1930s an insight into the lives of the richest and most privileged in society. Lucy is also joined by historian Professor Rosalind Crone as they visit the Knightsbridge Mews where Elvira lived with Michael to find out more about her racy party-going set known as ‘the Bright Young Things’. It was the scene of the fateful shooting and epicentre of the police investigation. Next they head to nearby Belgrave Square where Elvira’s extremely wealthy parents lived. Lucy wants to know what Elvira’s story can tell us about the lives of women across the class…
People in this episode
Host: Lucy Worsley
Guest: Rachel Johnson
Topics covered
- true crime
- historical case
- socialite lifestyle
- class divide
- 1930s London
- court trial
Keywords
- Elvira Barney
- murder trial
- 1930s
- socialite
- Old Bailey
- Rachel Johnson
- class divide
- Bright Young Things
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Old Bailey, BBC Radio 4
Books & works: Court No. 1 The Old Bailey
Places: Knightsbridge Mews, Belgrave Square
More episodes of Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
- Introducing Lady on Trial · June 9, 2026 · 5 min
- 60. True Crime on Trial · February 24, 2026 · 28 min
- 59. Kitty Newton - Killer Daughter · February 17, 2026 · 28 min
- 58. Mary Pearcey - Murderous Lover · February 10, 2026 · 29 min
- 57. Jessie McLachlan - Silenced Servant · February 3, 2026 · 29 min
- 55. Cloe - Forced Resistance · January 20, 2026 · 29 min
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