Eleanor Eden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Buckinghamshire
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Eleanor, Countess of Buckinghamshire, by John Hoppner (ca. 1800)
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Eleanor Agnes Eden
1777 |
| Died | October 1851 (aged 73–74) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parent(s) | William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland Eleanor Elliot |
Eleanor Agnes Hobart, Countess of Buckinghamshire (born Eden; 1777 – October 1851) was the oldest child of Lord Auckland. When she was young, people thought she might marry William Pitt the Younger. He was the Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time. However, Pitt said this was not true and never married anyone.
Early Life of Eleanor Eden
Eleanor was born in 1777. She was the first child of William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland. Her mother was Eleanor Elliot. Eleanor's mother was the daughter of Sir Gilbert Elliot, 3rd Baronet, of Minto. Her uncle was Gilbert Eliott, 1st Earl of Minto.
Eleanor and Prime Minister Pitt
Eleanor and William Pitt the Younger met often. Pitt visited her father's home in Beckenham, Kent. His own home, Holwood House, was nearby. People soon started to talk about them. They thought Pitt and Eleanor would get married.
However, in early 1797, Pitt wrote a letter to Eleanor's father, Lord Auckland. In his letter, Pitt said he cared for Eleanor very much. He wrote that anyone who married her would be very happy. But he also said he had found "insurmountable obstacles" to their marriage. This meant there were problems he could not overcome.
Lord Auckland wrote back. He said that Eleanor also had strong feelings for Pitt. He was sad that their relationship could not continue. Auckland asked Pitt to explain the "insurmountable obstacle." But Pitt only replied that more talk would not help. He never explained why he could not marry Eleanor.
Eleanor's Marriage
In 1799, Eleanor married Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire. She became his second wife. They did not have any children together. Lord Buckinghamshire died in February 1816. He was 55 years old. His death happened after he fell from his horse.
