Elizabeth Bridget Pigot
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Bridgot Pigot was a correspondent, friend and biographic source for Lord Byron.
in Derby to Dr John Hollis Pigot and his wife Margaret (born Becher). Elizabeth's father, John, was a physician and one of the founders of Derby Philosophical Society
with Erasmus Darwin
and William Strutt
. Pigot's father was to die when he was 36.
In 1804 she was 21 and she met the sixteen year old Byron who had moved opposite them in April. They became friends and she would accompany his singing on the piano. Pigot and Byron corresponded with each other until 1811. During this time Byron was at Oxford University whereas Pigot appears to have received her education at home or at a nearby girl's school. Pigot would copy out the poems that Byron sent her. Some of Byron's early encouragement with his poetry came from Pigot. In 1806 and 1807 Elizabeth and her brother John, who was also a friend of Byron, helped to expedite the publication of three of Byron's poetic works through a publisher in Newark
.
In 1807 Pigot became engaged briefly to an officer in India but this never led to marriage but it did result in Byron writing a poem dedicated to Pigot. In the same year, Pigot used her water colours to create a short poetical story that featured Byron called "The Wonderful History of Lord Byron and his Dog" which she illustrated with sketches of Byron and his dog. The work is thought to be a parody of Mrs Hubbard and her dog.
There appears to be little evidence for a romantic connection between Pigot and Byron but she did keep locks of his hair. It was reported in the first issue of the Dictionary of National Biography
that Pigot's engagement was broken off as a result of writing letters to he fiancee and to Byron and then placing the letters in the wrong envelopes. However this story is not included in the latest version.
Pigot also created a painting of Byron's eye which has led some to speculate that Pigot's feelings may not have been entirely platonic. She was upset when Byron's former mistress visited from Italy and failed to call upon her. Pigot documented Byron's life and six years after the Countess Guiccioli sent her her a lock of her hair which Pigot placed with a similar cutting from Byron.
In 1828 she was discovered by the first of Byron's biographers, Thomas Moore
. Pigot was able to supply him with a great deal of material. Pigot started a correspondence with John Murray of the publishing family who was involved with Byron's publishings and his biography. It was Moore and the publisher John Murray who burnt Byron's papers to prevent further scandal. She was to eventually receive engravings from his son, also John Murray, in thanks for her assistance. In the same year she managed to catch a glance of Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace
which pleased her.
Biography
Pigot was born on 20 September 1783 in St Werbergh's parishSt Werburgh's Church, Derby
St Werburgh's Church, Derby, is a redundant Anglican church in the city of Derby, Derbyshire, England . It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade B listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust...
in Derby to Dr John Hollis Pigot and his wife Margaret (born Becher). Elizabeth's father, John, was a physician and one of the founders of Derby Philosophical Society
Derby Philosophical Society
The Derby Philosophical Society was a club for gentleman in Derby founded in 1783 by Erasmus Darwin. The club had many notable members and also offered the first institutional library in Derby that was available to some section of the public.-History:...
with Erasmus Darwin
Erasmus Darwin
Erasmus Darwin was an English physician who turned down George III's invitation to be a physician to the King. One of the key thinkers of the Midlands Enlightenment, he was also a natural philosopher, physiologist, slave trade abolitionist,inventor and poet...
and William Strutt
William Strutt
William Strutt was an English artist.Strutt was born in Teignmouth, Devon, England, and came from a family of artists, his grandfather, Joseph Strutt, was a well-known author and artist, his father, William Thomas Strutt, was a good miniature painter...
. Pigot's father was to die when he was 36.
In 1804 she was 21 and she met the sixteen year old Byron who had moved opposite them in April. They became friends and she would accompany his singing on the piano. Pigot and Byron corresponded with each other until 1811. During this time Byron was at Oxford University whereas Pigot appears to have received her education at home or at a nearby girl's school. Pigot would copy out the poems that Byron sent her. Some of Byron's early encouragement with his poetry came from Pigot. In 1806 and 1807 Elizabeth and her brother John, who was also a friend of Byron, helped to expedite the publication of three of Byron's poetic works through a publisher in Newark
Newark
-United Kingdom:* Newark-on-Trent, a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England and the oldest Newark** Newark * Newark, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire...
.
In 1807 Pigot became engaged briefly to an officer in India but this never led to marriage but it did result in Byron writing a poem dedicated to Pigot. In the same year, Pigot used her water colours to create a short poetical story that featured Byron called "The Wonderful History of Lord Byron and his Dog" which she illustrated with sketches of Byron and his dog. The work is thought to be a parody of Mrs Hubbard and her dog.
There appears to be little evidence for a romantic connection between Pigot and Byron but she did keep locks of his hair. It was reported in the first issue of the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
that Pigot's engagement was broken off as a result of writing letters to he fiancee and to Byron and then placing the letters in the wrong envelopes. However this story is not included in the latest version.
Pigot also created a painting of Byron's eye which has led some to speculate that Pigot's feelings may not have been entirely platonic. She was upset when Byron's former mistress visited from Italy and failed to call upon her. Pigot documented Byron's life and six years after the Countess Guiccioli sent her her a lock of her hair which Pigot placed with a similar cutting from Byron.
In 1828 she was discovered by the first of Byron's biographers, Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer. He was responsible, with John Murray, for burning Lord Byron's memoirs after his death...
. Pigot was able to supply him with a great deal of material. Pigot started a correspondence with John Murray of the publishing family who was involved with Byron's publishings and his biography. It was Moore and the publisher John Murray who burnt Byron's papers to prevent further scandal. She was to eventually receive engravings from his son, also John Murray, in thanks for her assistance. In the same year she managed to catch a glance of Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace
Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace , born Augusta Ada Byron, was an English writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the analytical engine...
which pleased her.