Maria Kinnaird
Encyclopedia
Maria Kinnaird was born on St. Vincent
, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician, Conversation Sharp
. She was the heiress of her adopted father and she has been described as a accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman. Kinnaird married Thomas Drummond
who gave his name to the Drummond Light.
Sharp never married but in about 1812 Maria was orphaned following a catastrophic volcano eruption on the West Indian island of St Vincent where her parents are said to have been planters. The circumstances are unclear, but it became the joint decision of Richard, his brother William, and William's wife, Anna, that they should bring Maria to their Park Lane home and legally adopt her. By this time, Richard "Conversation" Sharp was a distinguished and wealthy London character and Maria was given every advantage, educationally, socially and culturally to take her place in society. Sharp moved in the highest Whig circles and Maria came to know many of the best artists, musicians, politicians and socialites of the time. When her adoptive father died she moved into a house in Hyde Park Gardens
while maintaining the family retreat, Fredley, in Mickleham, Surrey.
As a teenager Maria became very friendly with Dora Wordsworth
, a friendship that lasted until Dora's death and some of their correspondence still exists . Maria is said to have possessed an exceptional singing voice of which William Wordsworth
was particularly enamoured. Among her friends were Sydney Smith
, the artist J.M.W. Turner, John Russell
, Professor Wheatstone
, George Meredith
, Charles Babbage
and Michael Faraday
.
At one time there were rumours that Maria would marry the historian Thomas Macaulay, and the son of Samuel Romilly
was also thought to have been infatuated with her, but in the end she married Thomas Drummond
at Weston House the impressive home of Sir George Philips, 1st Baronet. She became her husband's mainstay during a particularly stressful period - leading to his death - when he successfully acted as under-Secretary for Ireland (1835-1840).
Maria and Thomas had three daughters, Fanny, Mary (who became the wife of Joseph Kay
) and Emily. In her declining years it is said that Robert Browning
frequently visited Maria at Fredley to read her some of his, and his wife's, poetry.
Maria Drummond died in 1891 and she is buried in Mickleham
churchyard. She left an important self portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds
to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually gave it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her adoptive father, Richard Sharp, from Hester Thrale
for just over £128 in 1816.
Her fascinating biography, Maria Drummond - A Sketch was written by the author/publisher, Charles Kegan Paul at the request of two of her daughters.
Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician, Conversation Sharp
Richard Sharp (politician)
Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA , also known as "Conversation" Sharp, was a hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, British politician, but above all - doyen of the conversationalists.-Family background:...
. She was the heiress of her adopted father and she has been described as a accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman. Kinnaird married Thomas Drummond
Thomas Drummond
Captain Thomas Drummond , from Edinburgh, Scotland, was an army officer, civil engineer and senior public official. Drummond used the Drummond light which was employed in the trigonometrical survey of Great Britain and Ireland. He is sometimes mistakenly given credit for the invention of limelight,...
who gave his name to the Drummond Light.
Biography
Maria Kinnaird was the adopted child of the politician Richard SharpRichard Sharp (politician)
Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA , also known as "Conversation" Sharp, was a hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, British politician, but above all - doyen of the conversationalists.-Family background:...
Sharp never married but in about 1812 Maria was orphaned following a catastrophic volcano eruption on the West Indian island of St Vincent where her parents are said to have been planters. The circumstances are unclear, but it became the joint decision of Richard, his brother William, and William's wife, Anna, that they should bring Maria to their Park Lane home and legally adopt her. By this time, Richard "Conversation" Sharp was a distinguished and wealthy London character and Maria was given every advantage, educationally, socially and culturally to take her place in society. Sharp moved in the highest Whig circles and Maria came to know many of the best artists, musicians, politicians and socialites of the time. When her adoptive father died she moved into a house in Hyde Park Gardens
Hyde Park Gardens
Hyde Park Gardens consists of two roads running adjacent to the North Western corner of Hyde Park, London. Number 1 Hyde Park Gardens runs up to Number 23 with a large private communal garden and then the road separates to allow access to The Ring and into Hyde Park and the neighbouring Kensington...
while maintaining the family retreat, Fredley, in Mickleham, Surrey.
As a teenager Maria became very friendly with Dora Wordsworth
Dora Wordsworth
Dora Wordsworth was the only surviving daughter of William Wordsworth , major Romantic poet and British Poet Laureate. Her babyhood inspired Wordsworth to write the beautiful "Address To My Infant Daughter" in her honour...
, a friendship that lasted until Dora's death and some of their correspondence still exists . Maria is said to have possessed an exceptional singing voice of which William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was a major English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with the 1798 joint publication Lyrical Ballads....
was particularly enamoured. Among her friends were Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith was an English writer and Anglican cleric. -Life:Born in Woodford, Essex, England, Smith was the son of merchant Robert Smith and Maria Olier , who suffered from epilepsy...
, the artist J.M.W. Turner, John Russell
John Russell
-Politicians:* John Russell , MP for Herefordshire and Speaker of the House of Commons.* John E. Russell , U.S. Representative from Massachusetts* John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford -Politicians:* John Russell (speaker) (died 1497), MP for Herefordshire and Speaker of the House of Commons.* John E....
, Professor Wheatstone
Charles Wheatstone
Sir Charles Wheatstone FRS , was an English scientist and inventor of many scientific breakthroughs of the Victorian era, including the English concertina, the stereoscope , and the Playfair cipher...
, George Meredith
George Meredith
George Meredith, OM was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era.- Life :Meredith was born in Portsmouth, England, a son and grandson of naval outfitters. His mother died when he was five. At the age of 14 he was sent to a Moravian School in Neuwied, Germany, where he remained for two...
, Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage, FRS was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer...
and Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday, FRS was an English chemist and physicist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry....
.
At one time there were rumours that Maria would marry the historian Thomas Macaulay, and the son of Samuel Romilly
Samuel Romilly
Sir Samuel Romilly , was a British legal reformer.-Background and education:Romilly was born in Frith Street, Soho, London, the second son of Peter Romilly, a watchmaker and jeweller...
was also thought to have been infatuated with her, but in the end she married Thomas Drummond
Thomas Drummond
Captain Thomas Drummond , from Edinburgh, Scotland, was an army officer, civil engineer and senior public official. Drummond used the Drummond light which was employed in the trigonometrical survey of Great Britain and Ireland. He is sometimes mistakenly given credit for the invention of limelight,...
at Weston House the impressive home of Sir George Philips, 1st Baronet. She became her husband's mainstay during a particularly stressful period - leading to his death - when he successfully acted as under-Secretary for Ireland (1835-1840).
Maria and Thomas had three daughters, Fanny, Mary (who became the wife of Joseph Kay
Joseph Kay
Joseph Kay QC was an English economist.Kay was born at Salford, Lancashire, the brother of Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth, 1st Baronet and Sir Edward Kay. Educated privately and at Trinity College, Cambridge, he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1848...
) and Emily. In her declining years it is said that Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
frequently visited Maria at Fredley to read her some of his, and his wife's, poetry.
Maria Drummond died in 1891 and she is buried in Mickleham
Mickleham, Surrey
Mickleham is a village and civil parish between the towns of Dorking and Leatherhead in Surrey, England covering . The parish includes the hamlet of Fredley.-History:Mickleham lies near to the old Roman road known as Stane Street...
churchyard. She left an important self portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA was an influential 18th-century English painter, specialising in portraits and promoting the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was one of the founders and first President of the Royal Academy...
to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually gave it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her adoptive father, Richard Sharp, from Hester Thrale
Hester Thrale
Hester Lynch Thrale was a British diarist, author, and patron of the arts. Her diaries and correspondence are an important source of information about Samuel Johnson and 18th-century life.-Biography:Thrale was born at Bodvel Hall, Caernarvonshire, Wales...
for just over £128 in 1816.
Her fascinating biography, Maria Drummond - A Sketch was written by the author/publisher, Charles Kegan Paul at the request of two of her daughters.