Caroline Douglas facts for kids

Caroline Douglas (1821 – 1904) was an important Irish woman. She was known as the Marchioness of Queensberry and supported Irish nationalism. This means she believed Ireland should govern itself. She also helped many people and causes.

Caroline Douglas's Early Life

Caroline Douglas was born in Ireland in 1821. Her birth name was Caroline Margaret Clayton. Her father, Sir William Clayton, 5th Baronet, was a retired British army general. He was also a member of parliament. Her mother, Alice Clayton, was from County Mayo and was Roman Catholic. Even though her mother was Catholic, Caroline and her three siblings were raised as Anglicans.

The family lived in Bantry, County Cork, until Caroline was two years old. Then, they moved to England. Their home, Harleyford House, was often visited by important people. These visitors included royalty like Napoleon III and many politicians.

How Did Caroline Get Married?

When Caroline wanted to marry Archibald Douglas, her father did not approve. So, the couple decided to elope. This means they ran away to get married without their parents' permission. They were married at Gretna Green in Scotland on May 28, 1840.

Caroline and Archibald had seven children together. They had five sons and two daughters. Their children were Gertrude, John, Francis, Archibald, and twins James and Florence. Sadly, one son died when he was a baby.

Caroline's Faith and Family Life

In 1858, Caroline's husband, the Marquess, died in a hunting accident. After his death, Caroline lived a very active life. She traveled a lot between popular places in Britain and Europe. She also spent time at the Douglas family estate in Scotland.

Why Did Caroline Convert to Catholicism?

In 1861, Caroline made a big decision. She converted to Roman Catholicism. This was a shock to her family, who were Anglican. Soon after, she found out that her mother-in-law planned to take her children away. This was because of her new faith.

To protect her children, Caroline quickly moved to France. She took her youngest children with her: Archibald, who was twelve, and the seven-year-old twins, Florence and James. She wanted to raise them in the Catholic faith. This caused a legal problem. The children's guardians threatened to take them away using English law. However, under Scottish law, the children were too young to choose their own guardian.

Caroline and her children stayed in France for two years. The British Consul in Nantes, Falconer Atlee, helped them find a safe place. Eventually, Emperor Napoleon III offered Caroline his protection. This made sure she could keep her children. In 1864, Caroline and her younger children returned to England. This happened when her mother-in-law's health began to get worse.

What Happened to Her Children?

Caroline's son, Archibald, later became a Roman Catholic priest. Her daughter, Gertrude, also converted to Catholicism. Her fiancé, who was Anglican, did not want their future children raised Catholic. So, their engagement ended. Gertrude then joined a convent in Hammersmith. She trained to become a nun but later left the order.

Caroline's Support for Ireland

Caroline Douglas always felt a strong connection to Ireland. She strongly supported Irish Home Rule. This was the idea that Ireland should have its own government, separate from Britain.

How Did She Support Irish Causes?

In 1867, Caroline caused a stir in London society. She raised money to help the families of the "Manchester Martyrs". These were Irish men who were executed. She wrote letters to the men in prison and sent money to support their families.

Caroline continued to support Irish nationalism, even though it made her unpopular in English society. She wrote pamphlets, which are small booklets, about the topic. One of her pamphlets was called Let there be light (1867). She also wrote many letters to newspapers about "the Irish question." She regularly gave money to Irish activists. There were even rumors that she secretly funded an Irish nationalist newspaper.

Caroline also supported several Catholic charities in Scotland. She helped her son Archibald with his duties as a priest. It is thought that she wrote letters to James Connolly, an important Irish socialist leader, between 1896 and 1903. She also subscribed to the writings of the Irish Socialist Republican Party.

Some people mistakenly believed she became a nun later in life. This was because of a letter she wrote from a Franciscan convent. However, she actually lived in Boulogne, France, on a small income from her father. Caroline Douglas passed away on February 14, 1904, at Glen Stuart. She is remembered as one of "The Devoted Friends of the Manchester Martyrs." Her name is on the National Monument built in 1906 in Grand Parade, Cork.