Frances Greville facts for kids
Frances Greville (born Macartney) was an Irish poet and a well-known person in England during the 1700s. She was famous for her writing and for being a lively conversationalist.
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Who Was Frances Greville?
Frances Greville was born in Longford, Ireland, around 1724. She was one of four daughters of James Macartney and Catherine Coote. Her family was quite important in Ireland.
Early Life and London Days
By the early 1740s, Frances was living in London, England. She was often seen with important people like Sarah Lennox, Duchess of Richmond. A famous writer named Horace Walpole even mentioned her in his poem The Beauties (1746). He called her "Fanny" and included her among the most prominent women at court. This shows she was already quite well-known.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1748, Frances married Fulke Greville. They eloped, which means they ran away to get married without their parents' full approval. Fulke Greville enjoyed gambling and was known for his fashionable style. However, he clearly loved Frances. He even wrote about her (calling her "Flora") in his book Maxims, Characters, and Reflections (1756). People believe Frances might have helped him write parts of that book too.
Her Most Famous Poem
Frances Greville was an amateur poet, meaning she wrote poems for enjoyment rather than as her main job. She had one very big success with her poem, "Prayer for Indifference." It was first printed in the Edinburgh Chronicle in 1759. This poem talked about the idea of "sensibility," which was a popular way of thinking about emotions at the time. Her poem was reprinted many times over the years. Besides this, she mostly wrote lighter poems, often for social occasions.
Travels and Important Friends
During the 1760s and 1770s, Frances spent a lot of time traveling. Her husband was made an "envoy" to Bavaria in 1764. An envoy is like a diplomat who represents their country in another land. Frances was known for being a great conversationalist. She made friends with many famous people, including the writers Charles Burney and his daughter Frances Burney. She was also friends with Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a famous playwright. He even dedicated his play The Critic to her.
Her Children and Later Years
Frances and Fulke Greville had several children. Their daughter, Frances Anne Crewe (1748–1818), became a well-known hostess for the Whig political group. This meant she hosted important gatherings for politicians. Their three sons, William (1751–1837), Henry (1760–1816), and Charles (1762–1832), all had careers in the military. Henry later tried to manage theaters, but he wasn't very successful.
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Frances Greville passed away in 1789 at Hampton Court Green.
