Edith Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Marchioness of Londonderry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
The Marchioness of Londonderry
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Lady Edith Vane-Tempest-Stewart by Philip de László, 1927
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edith Helen Chaplin
3 December 1878 Blankney, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 23 April 1959 (aged 80) Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Spouses |
Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry
(m. 1899; died 1949) |
| Children | Lady Maureen Vane-Tempest-Stewart Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry Lady Margaret Vane-Tempest-Stewart Lady Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart Lady Mairi Vane-Tempest-Stewart |
| Parents | Henry Chaplin, 1st Viscount Chaplin Lady Florence Sutherland-Leveson-Gower |
Edith Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Marchioness of Londonderry (born Edith Helen Chaplin; 3 December 1878 – 23 April 1959) was an important and well-known person in British society. She was famous for hosting many events and parties, especially between World War I and World War II.
She was also a talented gardener and a writer. Edith was a close friend of Ramsay MacDonald, who was the first Labour Prime Minister.
Contents
Early Life and Family
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Edith Helen Chaplin was born on December 3, 1878, in Blankney, Lincolnshire, England. Her father was Henry Chaplin, who later became the first Viscount Chaplin. Her mother was Lady Florence Sutherland-Leveson-Gower.
Sadly, Edith's mother passed away in 1881 when Edith was very young. After this, Edith mostly grew up at Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland. This was the large estate of her grandfather, the third Duke of Sutherland.
Marriage and Children
On November 28, 1899, Edith married Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart. At the time, he was known as Viscount Castlereagh. In 1915, he inherited his father's title and became the 7th Marquess of Londonderry. From then on, Edith was known as the Marchioness of Londonderry.
They had five children together:
- Lady Maureen Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart (1900–1942)
- Edward Charles Stewart Robert Vane-Tempest-Stewart (1902–1955), who became the 8th Marquess of Londonderry.
- Lady Margaret Frances Anne Vane-Tempest-Stewart (1910–1966)
- Lady Helen Maglona Vane-Tempest-Stewart (1911–1986)
- Lady Mairi Elizabeth Vane-Tempest-Stewart (1921–2009)
After her husband, the 7th Marquess, passed away in 1949, Lady Londonderry became known as the Dowager Marchioness of Londonderry. She passed away from cancer on April 23, 1959, at the age of 80.
Contributions During World War I
When World War I began in 1914, Lady Londonderry played an important role. She was appointed the Colonel-in-Chief of the Women's Volunteer Reserve (WVR). This was a group of women who volunteered to take over jobs that men had left to go and fight in the war. The WVR was started in December 1914.
Lady Londonderry also helped set up and organize the Officers' Hospital. This hospital was created in Londonderry House, which was her own home. For her efforts, she was the first woman to be given the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Military Division. This honor was created in 1917.
Creating the Mount Stewart Gardens
During the 1920s, Lady Londonderry dedicated herself to creating the stunning gardens at Mount Stewart. This was the Londonderry family's estate, located near Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland.
She made many additions and changes to the gardens, including:
- The Shamrock Garden
- The Sunken Garden
- Making the lake larger
- A Spanish Garden with a small hut
- The Italian Garden
- The Dodo Terrace
- The Menagerie
- The Fountain Pool
She also created walking paths in the Lily Wood and other parts of the estate. Her amazing work transformed the gardens so much that they have been suggested as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. She also supported Frank Kingdon-Ward, a botanist who collected plants.
After she finished creating her beautiful garden, and following her husband's death, she gave the gardens to the National Trust in 1957. Today, they are considered some of the best gardens in the British Isles.
As a Writer
Lady Londonderry was also an author and editor. She wrote several books, including:
- Henry Chaplin: A Memoir (1926)
- The Magic Ink-Pot (1928)
- Retrospect (1938)
- Frances Anne: The Life and Times of Frances Anne, Marchioness of Londonderry, and Her Husband, Charles, Third Marquess of Londonderry (1958)
Images for kids
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Lady Londonderry pictured in the uniform of the Women's Legion
