<p>Iris Origo was one of the twentieth century's most attractive and intriguing women, a brilliantly perceptive historian and biographer whose works remain widely admired. Iris grew up in Italy where she became part of the colourful and privileged Anglo-Florentine set that included Edith Wharton, Harold Acton and the Berensons.<br><br>When Iris married Antonio Origo, they bought and revived La Foce, a derelict stretch of the beautiful Val d&...