Henrietta Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough
Encyclopedia
Henrietta Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough (16 June 1761 – 11 November 1821), born Lady Henrietta Frances Spencer (generally called Harriet), was the wife of Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough
and mother of the notorious Lady Caroline Lamb
. Her father, John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer
, was a great-grandson of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
. Her sister was Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
.
Being the youngest child, Harriet was often left in England when her parents and older sister Georgiana would visit the continent for her father's health. As a child, Harriet was frail and sickly which led her mother to send her abroad for schooling, thinking that foreign air would help strengthen her.
On November 27, 1780, Harriet married Frederick Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon, later 3rd Earl of Bessborough. Their marriage was a difficult one; since Harriet and her husband were avid gamblers, they often found themselves in debt. Frederick was also known to be abusive of Harriet, often humiliating her in public gatherings, as well as demanding that she find money to pay for the debts he had incurred. Their marriage produced four children: John William
, later 4th Earl of Bessborough; Frederick Ponsonby; Caroline Ponsonby, more commonly known by her married name as Lady Caroline Lamb; and William Ponsonby
, who became the 1st Baron de Mauley.
Harriet had numerous lovers during her marriage. Among her more notable lovers were Richard Brinsley Sheridan
, the playwright and Whig politician, and Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville
, who became her most enduring lover. Her affair with Granville produced two illegitimate children: Harriet Emma Arundel Stewart, wife of George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds
(though she died in 1852 before he succeeded to the title) and George Stewart, yet somehow Harriet managed to hide her pregnancies from her husband. Granville would later on marry Harriet's niece, Lady Harriet Cavendish ('Harryo').
Harriet often accompanied her sister to political events as well as soirees. She was also very close to Georgiana's best friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, with whom she often was seen in public. Harriet died on November 11, 1821 in Florence, Italy following the death of her youngest grandchild, Henry, in Parma.
Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough
Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough was a British peer.Ponsonby was the eldest son of the 2nd Earl of Bessborough and succeeded to his father's titles in 1793...
and mother of the notorious 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...
. Her father, John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer
John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer
John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer was a British peer and politician.Spencer was born in 1734, at his family home, Althorp. He was the son of Hon. John Spencer and Georgiana Carolina Carteret , and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland...
, was a great-grandson of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
. Her sister was 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...
.
Being the youngest child, Harriet was often left in England when her parents and older sister Georgiana would visit the continent for her father's health. As a child, Harriet was frail and sickly which led her mother to send her abroad for schooling, thinking that foreign air would help strengthen her.
On November 27, 1780, Harriet married Frederick Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon, later 3rd Earl of Bessborough. Their marriage was a difficult one; since Harriet and her husband were avid gamblers, they often found themselves in debt. Frederick was also known to be abusive of Harriet, often humiliating her in public gatherings, as well as demanding that she find money to pay for the debts he had incurred. Their marriage produced four children: John William
John Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough
John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough PC , known as Viscount Duncannon from 1793 to 1844, was a British Whig politician...
, later 4th Earl of Bessborough; Frederick Ponsonby; Caroline Ponsonby, more commonly known by her married name as Lady Caroline Lamb; and William Ponsonby
William Ponsonby, 1st Baron de Mauley
William Francis Spencer Ponsonby, 1st Baron de Mauley was an English Whig and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1826 and 1837...
, who became the 1st Baron de Mauley.
Harriet had numerous lovers during her marriage. Among her more notable lovers were Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
, the playwright and Whig politician, and Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville
Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville
Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville GCB PC , known as Lord Granville Leveson-Gower from 1786 to 1814 and as the Viscount Granville from 1814 to 1833, was a British Whig statesman and diplomat....
, who became her most enduring lover. Her affair with Granville produced two illegitimate children: Harriet Emma Arundel Stewart, wife of George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds
George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds
George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds was a British peer.He was born the eldest son of Francis Osborne and his wife, The Hon. Elizabeth Eden. In 1832 his father was created Baron Godolphin, upon which George became known as The Hon. George Osborne. When the 1st Baron Godolphin died in 1850,...
(though she died in 1852 before he succeeded to the title) and George Stewart, yet somehow Harriet managed to hide her pregnancies from her husband. Granville would later on marry Harriet's niece, Lady Harriet Cavendish ('Harryo').
Harriet often accompanied her sister to political events as well as soirees. She was also very close to Georgiana's best friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, with whom she often was seen in public. Harriet died on November 11, 1821 in Florence, Italy following the death of her youngest grandchild, Henry, in Parma.