Charlotte Lennox, Duchess of Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Richmond
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![]() Bust of the Duchess, by Joseph Nollekens
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Personal details | |
Born |
Lady Charlotte Gordon
20 September 1768 Gordon Castle, Gight, Moray, Scotland |
Died | 5 May 1842 London, England, UK |
(aged 73)
Spouse | Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond |
Children | 14, including Charles, John, William, and Sussex |
Parents | Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon Jane Maxwell |
Charlotte Lennox, Duchess of Richmond (born Lady Charlotte Gordon; September 20, 1768 – May 5, 1842) was an important British noblewoman. She is most famous for hosting a special party known as the Duchess of Richmond's ball.
Her Life Story
Charlotte Gordon was born at Gordon Castle in Scotland. She was the oldest child of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, and his wife, Jane Maxwell. On September 9, 1789, she married Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond. He was also the 4th Duke of Lennox and 4th Duke of Aubigny.
In 1814, Charlotte and her family moved to Brussels. This city is now the capital of Belgium. While living there, the Duchess hosted a very famous party. It was at this party that the Duke of Wellington learned that Napoleon Bonaparte's army was moving into the Netherlands. This news was very important because it led to the Battle of Waterloo.
The Duchess and her family stayed in Brussels until 1818. Then, her husband was chosen to be the Governor General of British North America. This meant he was a top leader in what is now Canada. In 1819, Charlotte's husband passed away. Later, in 1836, she inherited a lot of land and wealth from her brother, George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon. He had no children who could inherit his titles. Charlotte Lennox passed away in London on May 5, 1842, when she was 73 years old.
Her Family
The Duke and Duchess of Richmond had a large family. They had seven sons and seven daughters, making a total of 14 children.
One of their sons was Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond. He continued the family line. Interestingly, Diana, Princess of Wales (who lived from 1961 to 1997) was a descendant of this son.
Another son was Lord Henry Adam Lennox. Sadly, he drowned in 1812 when he fell from a ship called HMS Blake.
Their children included:
- Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond (1791–1860)
- Lady Mary Lennox (c. 1792 – 1847)
- Lieutenant-Colonel Lord John George Lennox (1793–1873)
- Lady Sarah Lennox (c. 1794 – 1873)
- Lady Georgiana Lennox (1795–1891)
- Lord Henry Adam Lennox (1797–1812)
- Lord William Pitt Lennox (1799–1881)
- Lady Jane Lennox (c. 1800 – 1861)
- Captain Lord Frederick Lennox (1801–1829)
- Lord Sussex Lennox (1802–1874)
- Lady Louisa Maddelena Lennox (1803–1900)
- Lady Charlotte Lennox (c. 1804 – 1833)
- Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Arthur Lennox (1806–1864)
- Lady Sophia Georgiana Lennox (1809–1902)