Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland

Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland.

Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard (21 May 1806 – 27 October 1868) was born Lady Harriet Howard, daughter of the 6th Earl of Carlisle and his wife Lady Georgiana Cavendish, who was a daughter of the famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. On 18 May 1823 Harriet married Earl Gower, eldest son of the 2nd Marquess of Stafford, and a man twenty years her senior. Her father-in-law was created Duke of Sutherland in 1833, and was succeeded by his son later that year, whereupon Harriet became Duchess of Sutherland.

She served several times as Mistress of the Robes to her great friend Queen Victoria, a post which was later held by her eldest daughter Elizabeth Georgiana (Duchess of Argyll) and her daughter-in-law Anne (Duchess of Sutherland). The duchess was an active Whig and a close friend and correspondent of William Ewart Gladstone. She introduced the Italian revolutionary Garibaldi into London high society and organised a petition from the women of England in support of the abolition of slavery.

In 1871, while her son-in-law, the Duke of Argyll, was serving in the Cabinet, his son (Harriet's grandson), Lord Lorne, married one of Victoria's daughters, Princess Louise. Harriet's eldest son became 3rd Duke of Sutherland in 1861, and her younger daughters became wives of the 12th Lord Blantyre, the 4th Duke of Leinster and the 1st Duke of Westminster, respectively.

In 1861 the 4th Rogart Company of the 1st Sutherland Volunteer Rifle Corps formed up and bore the title, Duchess Harriet's Company Rogart upon the pouch-belt plate. See Grierson's 'Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force' published 1909

References

• K. D. Reynolds, Aristocratic Women and Political Society in Victorian Britain OUP (1998)

External links

• Archival material relating to Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland listed at the UK National Register of Archives

Court offices
Preceded by New Reign	Mistress of the Robes 1837–1841	Succeeded by The Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Preceded by The Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry	Mistress of the Robes 1846–1852	Succeeded by The Duchess of Atholl
Preceded by The Duchess of Atholl	Mistress of the Robes 1853–1858	Succeeded by The Duchess of Manchester
Preceded by The Duchess of Manchester	Mistress of the Robes 1859–1861	Succeeded by The Duchess of Wellington