Lady Margaret Burnet facts for kids

Lady Margaret Burnet (born Kennedy; died May 1685) was an important woman in 17th-century Britain. She was known for her intelligence and good advice. She was married to Gilbert Burnet, who became a famous historian and a bishop.

Her Life Story

Lady Margaret was the second daughter of John Kennedy, 6th Earl of Cassilis. Her mother was Lady Jean Hamilton. Margaret was highly respected for her smart ideas and advice on important matters. Even King Charles II thought highly of her.

Marriage to Gilbert Burnet

Margaret became the first wife of Gilbert Burnet. He was a well-known historian and later became the Bishop of Salisbury. They married secretly in 1672 or 1673. There was a big difference in their ages and how much money they had.

Gilbert was worried that people might think he married Margaret just for her wealth. So, they made a special agreement. This agreement, like a prenuptial agreement today, meant he would not claim any of her money.

After their marriage became known, Margaret moved to London to live with Gilbert. In the 1680s, she began to lose her memory. She passed away in May 1685.

Gilbert Burnet's Later Life

After Margaret's death, Gilbert Burnet married again. His second wife was Mary Scott, a rich Dutch heiress. They had seven children together. Mary died in 1698. Gilbert then married Elizabeth Blake. She was a famous writer on religious topics. Elizabeth died in 1709.