Dorothy Osborne facts for kids
Dorothy Osborne, Lady Temple (1627–1695) was an important British writer. She is famous for the many interesting letters she wrote. She was also the wife of Sir William Temple, 1st Baronet, a well-known diplomat.
Her Early Life
Dorothy Osborne was born in 1627 at Chicksands Priory in Bedfordshire, England. She was the youngest of twelve children. Her father, Sir Peter Osborne, was a loyal supporter of King Charles I. Her family, the Osbornes, strongly supported the King during a time of great change in England.
Love and Marriage
Dorothy was a very independent young woman. Her family wanted her to marry several different men, including her cousin and even Henry Cromwell, the son of Oliver Cromwell. But Dorothy said no to all of them.
Instead, she fell in love with Sir William Temple in 1647, when they were both about 19 years old. Their families did not approve of the marriage at first. This was because marriages in the 1600s were often about money and family connections, not just love.
Dorothy and William kept their love a secret for a long time. They wrote many letters to each other. These letters are very special because they show Dorothy's clever mind and how she saw the world. Only Dorothy's letters have survived, and there are 79 of them. They are now kept in the British Library.
After her father passed away, their families finally agreed to the marriage. Dorothy and William got married on December 25, 1654. Their marriage lasted for over 40 years, until Dorothy's death in 1695.
Life as Lady Temple
After she married, Dorothy Osborne became Lady Temple. She was very involved in her husband's work as a diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. Because of William's job, they lived in other countries, like Brussels and the Dutch Republic.
Sir William Temple was an ambassador in The Hague twice. During this time, Dorothy became good friends with William of Orange and Princess Mary. These two later became King William and Queen Mary of England. Dorothy's friendship with Queen Mary lasted until the Queen's death in 1694.
Dorothy and William had nine children, but sadly, most of them died when they were very young. One daughter, Diana, died at age 14. Their son, John, lived into his twenties and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Dorothy. These granddaughters brought joy to Sir William and Lady Temple.
Lady Temple passed away at Moor Park in Surrey. She is buried in Westminster Abbey in London, a very famous church. Her husband, her daughter Diana, and her husband's sister are also buried there.
Her Published Letters
Dorothy Osborne's letters are very important because they give us a look into life in the 1600s. They were first published in 1888. Since then, they have been published many times. These letters are still studied today by people who want to learn about history and literature.
