Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne (née Elizabeth Milbanke; bap. 1751 – 1818) was an English political hostess and the wife of Whig politician Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne
. She was the mother of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
. Lady Melbourne was known for her political influence as well as her friendships and romantic relationships with members of London society including Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
, George, Prince of Wales
and Lord Byron.
, North Yorkshire
, the daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 5th Baronet Milbanke
and his wife Elizabeth (née Hedworth). Elizabeth's brother was Sir Ralph Noel, 6th Baronet Milbanke; the family resided at Halnaby Hall, Yorkshire. Her father was a politician, and her maternal grandfather was John Hedworth, Member of Parliament
for County Durham
. Elizabeth was privately educated and learned French and poetry composition. Her mother died in 1767. Two years later, Elizabeth met Sir Peniston Lamb, 2nd Baronet
; they married in London on 13 April 1769. The couple lived at Melbourne House in Piccadilly
and Elizabeth quickly became a well-known figure in London Whig society. She was apparently unaffected by her husband's infidelity early in their marriage with actress and courtesan Sophia Baddeley
. Peniston was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
as Lord Melbourne, Baron of Kilmore, in 1770 and Viscount Melbourne
in 1781. As well as Melbourne House, the family had country residences at Brocket Hall
in Hertfordshire and Melbourne Hall
in Derbyshire.
After the marriage in 1774 of Lady Georgiana Spencer
to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
Lady Melbourne became the close friend and personal advisor of the Duchess. Until this point, Lady Melbourne had enjoyed unrivalled success as a political hostess and quickly recognised that the young duchess, with a higher rank and better connections, would be a more valuable friend than rival. The two women were painted, alongside their friend, sculptor Anne Damer, by Daniel Gardner as the Three Witches in his 1775 painting Witches Round the Cauldron. Lady Melbourne featured as the character of Lady Besford in The Duchess' novel The Sylph.
By the late 1770s, Lady Melbourne was romantically involved with George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont
. There was a rumour that the Earl had bought her from a previous lover, Lord Coleraine, for £13,000. Egremont remained unmarried, probably due to Lady Melbourne's influence. It is believed that he was the father of Lady Melbourne's children William
(b. 1779), Emily
(b. 1787) and possibly Frederick
(b. 1782).
In 1782, Lady Melbourne became acquainted with George, Prince of Wales
while visiting her son Peniston twice a week at Eton College
. The relationship proved to be of benefit to Lord Melbourne who was made Gentleman of the Bedchamber
to Prince George at Carlton House. Lady Melbourne's fourth son George (b. 1784) was widely believed to have been fathered by the prince, who acted as the boy's godfather.
Later in life, Lady Melbourne formed a friendship with poet Lord Byron. She became his confidante during his affair with her daughter-in-law (Lady Caroline Lamb
, who had married William in 1805). Byron later married Lady Melbourne's niece Anne Isabella Milbanke
.
Lord Melbourne was made a peer of the United Kingdom
as Baron Melbourne of Melbourne in 1815. Lady Melbourne died on 6 April 1818 at Melbourne House of rheumatism
. She was survived by her husband who died in 1828.
in 1803 at the age of 14; the young Peniston succumbed to the same illness in 1805, at 34.
Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne
Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne , known as Sir Peniston Lamb, 2nd Baronet, from 1768 to 1770, was a British politician and the father of Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne....
. She was the mother of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics...
who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
. Lady Melbourne was known for her political influence as well as her friendships and romantic relationships with members of London society including Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire , formerly Lady Georgiana Spencer, was the first wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, and mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Her father, the 1st Earl Spencer, was a great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Her niece was Lady Caroline Lamb...
, George, Prince of Wales
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
and Lord Byron.
Early life and marriage
Elizabeth Milbanke was baptised on 15 October 1751 in the village of Croft-on-TeesCroft-on-Tees
Croft-on-Tees is a village and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. South of Darlington, it stands on the opposite side of the River Tees from Hurworth-on-Tees and is situated on the A167. The bridge over the Tees between Croft and Hurworth marks the boundary...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, the daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 5th Baronet Milbanke
Milbanke Baronets
The Milbanke, later Noel, later Milbanke Baronetcy, of Halnaby in the County of York, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 7 August 1661 for Mark Milbanke. His father was Mark Milbanke of Chirton, Northumberland The Milbanke, later Noel, later Milbanke Baronetcy, of Halnaby...
and his wife Elizabeth (née Hedworth). Elizabeth's brother was Sir Ralph Noel, 6th Baronet Milbanke; the family resided at Halnaby Hall, Yorkshire. Her father was a politician, and her maternal grandfather was John Hedworth, Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for County Durham
County Durham (UK Parliament constituency)
Durham or County Durham was a county constituency in northern England, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1675 until 1832.- History :...
. Elizabeth was privately educated and learned French and poetry composition. Her mother died in 1767. Two years later, Elizabeth met Sir Peniston Lamb, 2nd Baronet
Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne
Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne , known as Sir Peniston Lamb, 2nd Baronet, from 1768 to 1770, was a British politician and the father of Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne....
; they married in London on 13 April 1769. The couple lived at Melbourne House in Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
and Elizabeth quickly became a well-known figure in London Whig society. She was apparently unaffected by her husband's infidelity early in their marriage with actress and courtesan Sophia Baddeley
Sophia Baddeley
Sophia Baddeley was an English actress, singer and courtesan.- Early life, musical career :She was born in London, the daughter of Valentine Snow, a sergeant-trumpeter. As a child, she was trained by her father for a future musical career. At the age of eighteen she eloped with the actor Robert...
. Peniston was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
as Lord Melbourne, Baron of Kilmore, in 1770 and Viscount Melbourne
Viscount Melbourne
Viscount Melbourne, of Kilmore in the County of Cavan, was a title in the Peerage of Ireland held by the Lamb family. This family descended from Matthew Lamb, who represented Stockbridge and Peterborough in the House of Commons. In 1755 he was created a Baronet, of Brocket Hall in the County of...
in 1781. As well as Melbourne House, the family had country residences at Brocket Hall
Brocket Hall
Brocket Hall is a country house in Hertfordshire, England, from London by road. It was built for Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet, in around 1760 to designs by the architect James Paine. It stands on the site of two predecessors, the first of which was built in 1239 and the second in about 1430. It...
in Hertfordshire and Melbourne Hall
Melbourne Hall
Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire, England was once the seat of the Victorian Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, and thus is the ultimate origin for the naming of Melbourne, Australia. The house is now the seat of Lord Ralph Kerr and Lady Kerr and is open to the public...
in Derbyshire.
Personal relationships
From the start of her marriage, Lady Melbourne cultivated friendships that helped her position in society, and her husband's career. These relationships were frequently with men, some of whom became lovers.After the marriage in 1774 of Lady Georgiana Spencer
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire , formerly Lady Georgiana Spencer, was the first wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, and mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Her father, the 1st Earl Spencer, was a great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Her niece was Lady Caroline Lamb...
to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, KG was a British aristocrat and politician. He was the eldest son of the William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire by his wife the heiress Lady Charlotte Boyle, suo jure Baroness Clifford of Lanesborough, who brought in considerable money and estates to...
Lady Melbourne became the close friend and personal advisor of the Duchess. Until this point, Lady Melbourne had enjoyed unrivalled success as a political hostess and quickly recognised that the young duchess, with a higher rank and better connections, would be a more valuable friend than rival. The two women were painted, alongside their friend, sculptor Anne Damer, by Daniel Gardner as the Three Witches in his 1775 painting Witches Round the Cauldron. Lady Melbourne featured as the character of Lady Besford in The Duchess' novel The Sylph.
By the late 1770s, Lady Melbourne was romantically involved with George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont
George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont
George O'Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont was a British peer. A direct descendant of Sir John Wyndham, he succeeded to his father's titles in 1763 at the age of 12, inheriting estates at Petworth, Egremont, Leconfield and land in Wiltshire and Somerset. He later inherited the lands of the Earl...
. There was a rumour that the Earl had bought her from a previous lover, Lord Coleraine, for £13,000. Egremont remained unmarried, probably due to Lady Melbourne's influence. It is believed that he was the father of Lady Melbourne's children William
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics...
(b. 1779), Emily
Emily Lamb, Lady Cowper
Emily Lamb was a leading figure of the Almack's social set, sister to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and wife to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.-The Lamb family:...
(b. 1787) and possibly Frederick
Frederick Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne
Frederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne PC, GCB , known as the Lord Beauvale from 1839 to 1848, was a British diplomat....
(b. 1782).
In 1782, Lady Melbourne became acquainted with George, Prince of Wales
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
while visiting her son Peniston twice a week at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
. The relationship proved to be of benefit to Lord Melbourne who was made Gentleman of the Bedchamber
Gentleman of the Bedchamber
A Gentleman of the Bedchamber was the holder of an important office in the royal household of the Kingdom of England from the 11th century, later used also in the Kingdom of Great Britain.-Description and functions:...
to Prince George at Carlton House. Lady Melbourne's fourth son George (b. 1784) was widely believed to have been fathered by the prince, who acted as the boy's godfather.
Later in life, Lady Melbourne formed a friendship with poet Lord Byron. She became his confidante during his affair with her daughter-in-law (Lady Caroline Lamb
Lady Caroline Lamb
The Lady Caroline Lamb was a British aristocrat and novelist, best known for her affair with Lord Byron in 1812. Her husband was the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister...
, who had married William in 1805). Byron later married Lady Melbourne's niece Anne Isabella Milbanke
Anne Isabella Byron, Baroness Byron
Anne Isabella Noel Byron, 11th Baroness Wentworth and Baroness Byron was the wife of the poet Lord Byron, and mother of Ada Lovelace, the patron and co-worker of mathematician Charles Babbage.-Name:Her names were unusually complex...
.
Lord Melbourne was made a peer of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
as Baron Melbourne of Melbourne in 1815. Lady Melbourne died on 6 April 1818 at Melbourne House of rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
. She was survived by her husband who died in 1828.
Issue
Lady Melbourne had six children that survived childhood; infant twins died in 1788. Of the remaining six, only the eldest, Peniston, was certain to have been fathered by Lord Melbourne. Their youngest daughter Harriet died of consumptionTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in 1803 at the age of 14; the young Peniston succumbed to the same illness in 1805, at 34.
- Hon. Peniston Lamb (1770–1805)
- William Lamb, 2nd Viscount MelbourneWilliam Lamb, 2nd Viscount MelbourneWilliam Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics...
(1779–1848) - Frederick Lamb, 3rd Viscount MelbourneFrederick Lamb, 3rd Viscount MelbourneFrederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne PC, GCB , known as the Lord Beauvale from 1839 to 1848, was a British diplomat....
(1782–1853) - Hon. George Lamb (1784–1834)
- Emily Lamb, Lady CowperEmily Lamb, Lady CowperEmily Lamb was a leading figure of the Almack's social set, sister to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and wife to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.-The Lamb family:...
(1787–1869) - Harriet Lamb (1789–1803)