Isabella Seymour-Conway, Countess of Hertford facts for kids
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Isabella Seymour-Conway (born Fitzroy) lived from 1726 to 1782. She was married to Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. Isabella was the daughter of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton. This meant she was related to King Charles II through his family line. Her mother was Henrietta FitzRoy.
Family Life
Isabella married Francis Seymour-Conway on May 29, 1741. At that time, he was known as Baron Conway. They had many children together:
- Francis Seymour-Conway, 2nd Marquess of Hertford (1743-1822)
- Lady Anne Seymour-Conway (1744-1784), who married Charles Moore, 1st Marquess of Drogheda
- Lord Henry Seymour-Conway (1746-1830)
- Lady Sarah Frances Seymour-Conway (1747-1770), who married Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry
- Lord Robert Seymour-Conway (1748-1831)
- Lady Gertrude Seymour-Conway (1750-1782), who married George Mason-Villiers, 2nd Earl Grandison
- Lady Frances Seymour-Conway (1751-1820), who married Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, Earl of Lincoln
- Edward Seymour-Conway (1752–1785), who did not marry
- Lady Elizabeth Seymour-Conway (1754–1825), who did not marry
- Lady Isabella Rachel Seymour-Conway (1755-1825), who married George Hatton
- Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour (1759-1801)
- Lord William Seymour-Conway (1759-1837)
- Lord George Seymour-Conway (1763-1848)
Life as a Countess
In 1750, Isabella's husband became an earl. This meant Isabella became a countess. In the 1760s, her husband was chosen to be the Ambassador to France. Isabella went with him to Paris. While there, a famous artist named Alexander Roslin painted her portrait.
Isabella was also interested in art. In 1759, she met William Hunter, who was a doctor and collector. They became good friends. Hunter later founded the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, where Isabella's portrait is now displayed.
From 1768 until she passed away, Isabella worked at the royal court. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Queen Charlotte was the wife of King George III of the United Kingdom.
Public Life and Caricatures
Isabella and her husband were sometimes shown in political cartoons. A famous cartoonist named James Gillray drew at least two pictures of them. One cartoon from 1782 showed Isabella and her husband with a politician named Charles James Fox. Another cartoon showed them dancing around a gallows, which is a structure used for hangings.
Later Life
Isabella Seymour-Conway passed away at the age of 56. She became ill after visiting her grandson at Forde's Farm in Thames Ditton.
Horace Walpole, a writer who knew Isabella and her husband, spoke highly of her. He said she was a very loving and helpful wife. He also noted that she was very organized and always remembered what needed to be done. After Isabella's death, her husband was given the new title of Marquess of Hertford.
