Gwladys Robinson, Marchioness of Ripon facts for kids
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Constance Gwladys Robinson, Marchioness of Ripon (born April 22, 1859 – died October 28, 1917), was an important British supporter of the arts. She was a close friend of famous writer Oscar Wilde, who even dedicated his play A Woman of No Importance to her. She also helped other well-known artists like singer Nellie Melba and dancers Nijinsky and Diaghilev become successful in London.
A Life of Support for the Arts
Lady Ripon was born in 1859. Her parents were Sidney Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Lea and his wife, Elizabeth. Her mother was a writer and became a Catholic.
Lady Ripon first married St George Lowther, 4th Earl of Lonsdale. They had one daughter named Gladys Mary Juliet.
After her first husband passed away, she married Frederick Robinson, 2nd Marquess of Ripon. At that time, he was known as Earl de Grey. She was then called Gladys de Grey. They did not have any children together.
Lady Ripon was a great supporter of the arts. This means she helped artists and art organizations. For example, she helped pay for the repair of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. She was very good at convincing important people to buy tickets for shows in advance. This helped the opera house a lot.
She passed away in October 1917 when she was 58 years old. Lord Ripon, her second husband, lived for six more years. He died in September 1923 at the age of 71. They are both buried together in the Ripon family tomb. This tomb is located at Studley Royal Church.
Her Family Connections
Lady Ripon came from a notable family. She was a descendant of George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke. His mother was Countess Catherine Woronzow. Catherine was born in Russia and was the daughter of the Russian ambassador to Britain. Lady Ripon's own mother was the granddaughter of Sir William à Court, 1st Baronet.
Most of Lady Ripon's six brothers and sisters were also well-known:
- George Robert Charles Herbert (1850–1895) became the 13th Earl of Pembroke. An Earl is a noble title in Britain.
- Sidney Herbert (1853–1913) was a Member of Parliament. He later became the 14th Earl of Pembroke after his brother.
- Michael Henry Herbert (1857–1904) was a diplomat. A diplomat represents their country in other nations. He ended his career as the British Ambassador to the U.S. in Washington DC. The town of Herbert in Canada is named after him.
- Mary Catherine (1849–1935) married Baron Friedrich von Hügel in 1873. He was a theologian, someone who studies religion.
- Elizabeth Maud (1851–1933) married the composer Sir Charles Hubert Parry in 1872. A composer writes music.
