Lady Sybil Grant facts for kids
Lady Sybil Myra Caroline Grant (born Primrose; 18 September 1879 – 25 February 1955) was a talented British writer and artist. She was the oldest child of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and his wife, Hannah. Later in her life, she became known for her unique and independent personality.
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Lady Sybil's Early Life
Lady Sybil was the first child of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Her father was an important politician who served as prime minister for Queen Victoria from 1894 to 1895. Her mother, Hannah de Rothschild, was the only child of a very wealthy family. Because of her mother, the large Mentmore Towers estate became part of the Rosebery family's property.
Her father, Lord Rosebery, was involved in politics and also enjoyed collecting items related to Napoleon. He wrote books about famous historical figures like Napoleon and William Pitt the Younger. Her mother, Countess Hannah, was once thought to be the richest woman in England.
As a child, Sybil was taught by governesses at home. She spent her time between the family's London home, Lansdowne House, and their many country estates. These included Dalmeny House and Mentmore Towers. Lady Sybil was often looked after by servants and her aunt, Lady Leconfield, especially when she was a baby. Even though her parents were often away, Lady Sybil remained very close to her father.
Marriage and Family Life
On 28 March 1903, Lady Sybil married Charles John Cecil Grant. He was a soldier who later became a general and was honored as a Knight of the Bath. Her father wrote that she was "wonderfully cool" on her wedding day.
Lady Sybil and Charles had one son, Charles Robert Archibald Grant. He later married Pamela Wellesley, who was a granddaughter of Arthur, the 4th Duke of Wellington.
Creative Talents and Artistic Works
Lady Sybil Grant was a gifted writer and artist. In 1912, she published several short stories in the London Magazine. Some of these stories included The Kisses That Never Were Given and A Three-Cornered Secret. In 1913, she released a book of funny poems called Founded on Fiction. She also wrote The Chequer-Board and Samphire.
By 1914, Lady Sybil was a well-known writer. She was asked to contribute to Princess Mary's Gift Book. This was a special collection of stories and illustrations. It was created to raise money for the Great War effort.
Lady Sybil also loved art, especially working with ceramics. She often found inspiration for her designs from her love of animals. She was particularly fond of Suffolk Punch horses, which she bred. She also helped save a rare type of dog called the Shetland Toy from disappearing. In 1909, she was the first person to breed the rare Pyrenean Mountain Dog in England.
Helping Others and Community Spirit
Lady Sybil Grant was known for her kindness and community involvement. She became friends with the Roma who visited Epsom Downs during the Derby horse race week. She would often dress in "unusual and romantic clothes" to welcome them. She allowed them to use her land for their camps each year. This helped reduce problems between the local people and the Roma community.
She was also a strong supporter of the "Lest We Forget" charity fund. She organized a special fair each year at her home, The Durdans, to raise money for the charity. Her pottery was often sold at these events and was very popular.
Later Life and Legacy
After her father passed away in 1929, Lady Sybil inherited his home, The Durdans, in Epsom. This became her main residence. She also inherited many books from her father's large library. Some of these books were later sold, but she kept many important ones.
In her later years, Lady Sybil became known for her unique habits. She sometimes spent time in a caravan or even up a tree! She would communicate with her butler using a megaphone. She passed away in 1955, five years after her husband.
After her death, Lady Sybil donated 2,700 books, pamphlets, and writings from her father's collection to the National Library of Scotland. This gift included many historical books about Britain and Europe, biographies of famous people, and works on horseracing.
