Jane Austen

Georgiana Cavendish, an Amazing Woman

Happy Birthday to Georgiana Spencer Cavendish, the 5th Duchess of Devonshire! She was born on 7 June 1757, the eldest child of John Spencer (who would later become 1st Earl Spencer) and Georgiana Poyntz. As a girl she was affectionately called “Little Gee” by her family, and she was an indirect ancestress of Lady Diana Spencer’s. During their… Read more Georgiana Cavendish, an Amazing Woman

King George I

Georg Ludwig, future King George I of England, came into the world on 28 May 1660 in Hanover, the eldest son of Duke Ernest Augustus of Brunswick-Lüneburg and his wife, Sophia of the Palatinate, who was the Protestant the granddaughter of King James I of England through her mother, Elizabeth of Bohemia. No one thought of baby George as a possible… Read more King George I

Murdering Mollies

On 9 May 1726, five men were hanged at Tyburn for the crime of having committed homosexual sex acts, which became punishable by death in Henry VIII’s reign (under the Buggery Act 1533) and would remain a capital offence until 1828. The men had been some of the 40 individuals arrested during a raid on Mother… Read more Murdering Mollies

The Duke of Wellington

Arthur Wellesley, future 1st Duke of Wellington, was born on 1 May 1769 in Dublin, Ireland, the fourth son of Anglo-Irish Protestant aristocrat Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington, and the Hon. Anne Hill-Trevor, eldest daughter the 1st Viscount Dungannon. Until he became a military man, Wellington was bone idle. His mother despaired when he… Read more The Duke of Wellington

Was Eliza Hancock the Model for Mary Crawford?

Eliza Hancock was Jane Austen’s cousin and future sister-in-law, and many speculate she was also the model for some of Austen’s most vivacious characters, including my perpetual favorite — Mary Crawford. If so, it seems to indicate that Austen loved her cousin … yet was nonetheless jealous of the attention the sparkling Eliza could command… Read more Was Eliza Hancock the Model for Mary Crawford?

Happy Birthday to Christian IX of Demark, Direct Ancestor of BOTH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

The future Christian IX of Demark was born on 8 April 1818, the fourth son of Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse. Although he was not really in line for any throne, the newborn was related six ways to Sunday to the crowned heads of Europe. Among other connections, his… Read more Happy Birthday to Christian IX of Demark, Direct Ancestor of BOTH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

Happy Birthday Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey!

Charles Grey, future Prime Minister, 2nd Earl Grey, and progressive hero, was born on 13 March 1764 to General Charles Grey, who was created 1st Earl Grey and Viscount Howick in 1806. A genius, Charles Grey wowed his way through Trinity College, Cambridge and was only 22 years old when he was elected to Parliament for… Read more Happy Birthday Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey!