Charlotte Murray, Duchess of Atholl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Atholl
Lady Strange |
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|---|---|
| Born |
Lady Charlotte Murray
13 October 1731 Athole, Perthshire
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| Died | 13 October 1805 (aged 74) Barochey House, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
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| Burial place | Dunkeld, Perthshire |
| Occupation | Peeress |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children |
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| Parent(s) | James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl Jane Frederick |
Charlotte Murray, Duchess of Atholl (born Lady Charlotte Murray; October 13, 1731 – October 13, 1805) was an important Scottish noblewoman. She was also known as the 8th Baroness Strange in her own right. This means she inherited the title directly from her father, not through her husband.
Early Life and Family
Charlotte Murray was born on October 13, 1731. Her father was James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl. Her mother was Jane Frederick.
On October 23, 1753, Charlotte married her first cousin, John Murray. They were married in Dunkeld, Scotland. Together, they had eleven children. Some of their notable children included:
- Lady Charlotte Murray (born 1754), who became a botanist and author.
- John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl (born 1755), who later became the 4th Duke.
- Lord George Murray (born 1761), who became a bishop.
- Lord Charles Murray-Aynsley (born 1771), who became a church official.
Inheriting Titles
When Charlotte's father died on January 8, 1764, things got a bit complicated. Her husband, John, should have become the next Duke of Atholl. However, the title usually passed only through the male family line. Also, John's father had been involved in the Jacobite rising of 1745. Because of this, his father had lost some rights, which made it difficult for John to inherit.
However, Charlotte had inherited her father's title of Baron Strange. This title could be passed down through female family members. This meant Charlotte held a higher social rank than her husband at that time.
Less than a month later, on February 7, 1764, the House of Lords (a part of the British Parliament) decided that John was the rightful heir to his uncle's title. So, he became the 3rd Duke of Atholl. When he became Duke, Charlotte became the Duchess of Atholl.
Isle of Man
Charlotte also inherited the control of the Isle of Man from her father. This was a special right, almost like being a ruler of the island. In 1765, she sold these rights to the British Crown. She received £70,000 for it, plus an extra £2,000 every year for the rest of her life.
Later Life
The Duchess of Atholl passed away on her 74th birthday, October 13, 1805. She died at Barochey House, which was near Glasgow. She was buried in Dunkeld, Scotland.
