Elizabeth Herbert, Baroness Herbert of Lea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lady Herbert of Lea
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| Born |
Mary Elizabeth Ashe à Court-Repington
21 July 1822 Richmond, Surrey, England
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| Died | 30 October 1911 (aged 89) Herbert House, Belgrave Square, London, England
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| Occupation | Author and translator |
| Spouse(s) | Sidney Herbert |
| Children | 7 |
| Parent(s) | General Charles Ashe à Court-Repington Mary Gibbs |
Mary Elizabeth Herbert, Baroness Herbert of Lea (born Ashe à Court-Repington; 21 July 1822 – 30 October 1911) was an important English writer, translator, and helper of others. She was also a well-known person in society. People often called her Elizabeth Herbert.
Contents
A Life of Purpose
Elizabeth Herbert was born in 1822 in Richmond, Surrey. Her father was General Charles Ashe à Court-Repington. In August 1846, when she was 24, she married Sidney Herbert. He was a young politician and the second son of the 11th Earl of Pembroke. Elizabeth soon began to support her husband's political ideas.
Helping During the Crimean War
The Herberts first met Florence Nightingale in Italy in 1848. This meeting became very important later on. When Sidney Herbert became the Secretary at War during the Crimean War, Elizabeth became a strong supporter of Nightingale. They became very close friends. Both Elizabeth and Sidney Herbert encouraged Florence Nightingale to follow her dream of becoming a nurse and helping others.
Sidney Herbert asked Florence Nightingale to lead a team of nurses to the Crimean War. Before his official request, Elizabeth Herbert had already written to her friend. She told Nightingale that Sidney wanted to meet her. Elizabeth added, "I can only say God guide you aright in your decision. I do feel that if you refuse, you will have lost the most noble opportunity of doing the greatest possible amount of good."
Elizabeth Herbert also helped choose the nurses for the war. Interviews with people who wanted to be nurses were held at the Herbert family home in Belgrave Square.
Becoming a Catholic
In 1861, Sidney Herbert passed away. He had just been given the title of Baron Herbert of Lea. This left Elizabeth as a widow with seven children.
Lady Herbert of Lea became a Roman Catholic in 1866 while in Palermo, Italy. She was very devoted to her new faith. She had wanted to convert earlier, but her family worried and threatened to take her children away if she did. Only her oldest daughter, Mary, also became Catholic.
Elizabeth Herbert disliked the "of Lea" part of her title and rarely used it. She became known as "Lady Lightning" because she was so efficient and passionate. She worked hard for Catholic charities and causes. She worked closely with Cardinal Vaughan to set up St Joseph's Foreign Missionary College in London. This college opened in 1869. The students training to be missionaries at Mill Hill became the main focus of her life's work. When she died in London in 1911, she was buried at Mill Hill. Her tombstone simply said, 'The Mother of the Mill'.
A Well-Known Figure
The Herbert family lived at Number 49 in the fashionable Belgrave Square in London. Sidney Herbert called their home "Belgrave Villa."
Lady Herbert was a close friend to many important people during the Victorian era. These included politicians like Benjamin Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone. She was also friends with reformers like Florence Nightingale. She knew leaders in the Roman Catholic faith, such as Cardinal Newman and Cardinal Manning.
Lady Herbert was a familiar sight in Rome, Italy. She visited the city every year until she was very old.
Her Writings
Elizabeth Herbert was a talented writer and translator. She wrote several books, including:
- Impressions of Spain in 1866 (1867)
- Cradle Lands (1867) – This book was about her travels in Egypt and Palestine.
- Wives and Mothers of the Olden Time (1871)
- A Search after Sunshine, or Algeria in 1871 (1872)
- Wayside Tales (1880)
- Edith – This was a novel that included parts of her own life story.
She also wrote many articles for the Dublin Review. She translated and rewrote many biographies of religious figures from French into English. Some of these included lives of St. Monica and St. John Baptist de Rossi.
Her Family
Lady Herbert of Lea was the only daughter of General Charles Ashe à Court-Repington. Her father was both a soldier and a member of Parliament. Her uncle was William à Court, 1st Baron Heytesbury, who was a British Ambassador.
Elizabeth and Lord Herbert of Lea had seven children:
- George Robert Charles Herbert (1850–1895). He later became the 13th Earl of Pembroke.
- Sidney Herbert (1853–1913). He also became a member of Parliament and later the 14th Earl of Pembroke.
- William Reginald Herbert (1854–1870). He was lost at sea.
- Michael Henry Herbert (1857–1904). He became a diplomat and served as the British Ambassador to the United States.
- Mary Catherine (1849–1935). She married Baron Friedrich von Hügel.
- Elizabeth Maud (1851–1933). She married the composer, Sir Charles Hubert Parry.
- Constance Gladwys (1859–1917). She was a supporter of the arts and the Royal Opera House.
