Maria Kinnaird: Difference between revisions
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Maria Drummond died in 1891 and she is buried in [[Mickleham, Surrey|Mickleham]] churchyard. She left an important self portrait of Sir [[Joshua Reynolds]] to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually give it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her foster father, Richard Sharp, from [[Hester Thrale]] for just over £128 in 1816.<ref>[http://www.thrale.com/history/english/hester_and_henry/hesters_writings/streatham_worthies.php The Streatham worthies], Thrale.com, accessed 7 January 2009</ref> |
Maria Drummond died in 1891 and she is buried in [[Mickleham, Surrey|Mickleham]] churchyard. She left an important self portrait of Sir [[Joshua Reynolds]] to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually give it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her foster father, Richard Sharp, from [[Hester Thrale]] for just over £128 in 1816.<ref>[http://www.thrale.com/history/english/hester_and_henry/hesters_writings/streatham_worthies.php The Streatham worthies], Thrale.com, accessed 7 January 2009</ref> |
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Her fascinating but rare biography, ''Maria Drummond - A Sketch'' was written by the author/publisher, [[Charles Kegan |
Her fascinating but rare biography, ''Maria Drummond - A Sketch'' was written by the author/publisher, [[Charles Kegan Paul]]<ref>see Paul, C. Kegan : 'Maria Drummond - A Sketch' 1891 </ref> at the request of two of her daughters.<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=l309AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA380&dq=%22maria+drummond%22&as_brr=3&ei=zU1qSfyKNIn-Nd7J1bIC&client=firefox-a Memories]. Charles Kegan Paul, 1899 then 1971, ISBN 0710069448</ref> |
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===References=== |
===References=== |
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Revision as of 16:20, 30 January 2009
Maria Drummond | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maria Kinnaird 1807 |
| Died | 1891 |
| Resting place | Mickleham |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Heiress |
| Spouse | Thomas Drummond |
| Children | three daughters |
Maria Kinnaird (?1807 - 1891) 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.[1] Kinnaird married Thomas Drummond who gave his name to the Drummond Light.[2]
Biography
Maria Kinnaird was the adopted child of the politician Richard Sharp[3] 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 [4]. Maria is said to have possessed an exceptional singing voice of which William Wordsworth was particularly enamoured. Among her acquaintances were Sydney Smith, the artist J.M.W. Turner 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 bart.[1] 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)[5].
Maria and Thomas had three daughters, Fanny, Mary 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 give it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her foster father, Richard Sharp, from Hester Thrale for just over £128 in 1816.[6]
Her fascinating but rare biography, Maria Drummond - A Sketch was written by the author/publisher, Charles Kegan Paul[7] at the request of two of her daughters.[8]
References
- ^ a b Stanley H. Palmer, ‘Drummond, Thomas (1797–1840)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 11 Jan 2009
- ^ Limelight - Leeds University, accessed 18 July 2008
- ^ Knapman, D. - 'Conversation Sharp - The Biography of a London Gentleman, Richard Sharp (1759-1835), in Letters, Prose and Verse'. [Private Publication, 2004)
- ^ MS, University Library, Davis, California
- ^ see 'Thomas Drummond: Life and Letters' by O'Brian. Pub. Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. 1889
- ^ The Streatham worthies, Thrale.com, accessed 7 January 2009
- ^ see Paul, C. Kegan : 'Maria Drummond - A Sketch' 1891
- ^ Memories. Charles Kegan Paul, 1899 then 1971, ISBN 0710069448