Anne FitzPatrick, Countess of Upper Ossory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Upper Ossory
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Engraving by David Lucas
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| Born | Anne Liddell c. 1737 Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 1804 (aged 66–67) London, England |
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| Parents | Henry Liddell, 1st Baron Ravensworth Anne Delme |
Anne FitzPatrick, Countess of Upper Ossory (born Anne Liddell, also known as Anne FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton; around 1737–1804) was an important English noblewoman. She was the first wife of Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. He was a very important person who later became the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Anne was also well-known for writing many letters to Horace Walpole, a famous writer and politician.
Contents
The Early Life of Anne Liddell
Birth and Family Background
Anne Liddell was born around 1737 or 1738. Her parents were Anne and Henry Liddell, 1st Baron Ravensworth. She was born in a town called Derby, in England. Her father was a baron, which meant he was a member of the nobility.
Anne's First Marriage
Becoming the Duchess of Grafton
On January 29, 1756, Anne Liddell married Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. The wedding took place at her father's home in St James's Square, London. Augustus FitzRoy was a Duke, which is a very high rank in the British nobility. When they married, Anne became the Duchess of Grafton.
Their Children
Anne and Augustus had three children together:
- Lady Georgiana FitzRoy (born 1757, died 1799). She later married a man named John Smyth.
- George Henry FitzRoy (born 1760, died 1844). He later became the 4th Duke of Grafton. He married Lady Charlotte Maria Waldegrave.
- General Lord Charles FitzRoy (born 1764, died 1829). He was a military officer. Two of his sons became very famous:
- Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy, who was a Governor in New South Wales, Australia.
- Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy, who was a hydrographer. This means he made maps of the oceans and coasts. He was also the captain of the ship HMS Beagle, which carried Charles Darwin on his famous voyage.
A Noted Correspondent
Letters with Horace Walpole
Anne was a very good writer and kept in touch with many important people. In 1761, she sent a special picture called a silhouette to Horace Walpole. This picture was made by an artist named Jean Huber. This was the start of a long friendship through letters. Anne and Horace Walpole wrote a total of 455 letters to each other. These letters are now a valuable source of information about their lives and times.
The End of Her First Marriage
Divorce and Remarriage
In 1769, Anne and the Duke of Grafton decided to end their marriage. Their divorce was made official by a special law passed by the British Parliament on March 23, 1769. This was a very unusual event for the time, especially for someone of such high social standing.
Just a few months later, on June 24, 1769, the Duke of Grafton married again. His new wife was Elizabeth Wrottesley. In the same year, Anne also remarried. She married John FitzPatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory. After this marriage, Anne became known as the Countess of Upper Ossory.
Children from Her Second Marriage
Anne and John FitzPatrick had two daughters together:
- Lady Anne Fitzpatrick
- Lady Gertrude Fitzpatrick
Later Life and Death
Anne FitzPatrick, Countess of Upper Ossory, passed away in 1804. She died at her home in Grosvenor Square, a famous area in London.
