Debutante. Spy. Seductress. Actress. Divorcee. Cross-dresser, Self-promoter. Belle Boyd is best known as a reckless teen-aged spy, but her life after the Civil War was even more daring. At a time when a woman was even discouraged from laughing too loudly, Boyd was determined to live boldly and on her own terms.

Wearing trousers, carrying a pistol, riding a horse astride, her multiple divorces, none of this is shocking today, but in the context of her time, every one of those things was an act of defiance that put her outside the mainstream of acceptable female behavior.

A Rebellious Woman is based on the real life story of Boyd. Author Claire Griffin will discuss the extraordinary life of Boyd in a virtual talk for the Essex Library on Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. In a century when a woman was meant to be nothing more than a well-behaved wife and mother, Boyd stands out as a spectacularly scandalous woman of history defying all the rules.

This virtual talk on Zoom is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.youressexlibrary.org/adult-services/adults-featured-events or call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560.