Louisa Finch, Countess of Aylesford facts for kids

Louisa Finch, Countess of Aylesford (born Thynne; 25 March 1760 – 28 December 1832) was a talented English naturalist and artist. She loved studying nature and was especially good at drawing plants, algae, and fungi from the Warwickshire area.

A Life of Discovery

Louisa Thynne was born on March 25, 1760. Her father, Thomas Thynne, was a well-known politician. In 1781, she married Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford. They had many children, thirteen in total! One of their sons was Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford.

Louisa's husband passed away in 1812. She later leased a house called Stanmore Park House in Middlesex. She lived to be 72 years old and passed away at her family home, Packington Hall.

A Passion for Plants

After settling in Warwickshire, Lady Aylesford began to study the plants of the region. She created over 2,800 beautiful watercolor drawings of plants. She also wrote letters to famous botanists (plant scientists) like William Withering and George Don.

Lady Aylesford was very good at finding new things. She recorded about 30 types of plants that had never been officially noted in Warwickshire before. She also collected many different minerals. After she passed away, her mineral collection was bought by Henry Heuland. Today, her plant drawings are kept at Oxford University, and her minerals and writings are at the Natural History Museum.

Family Life

Lady Louisa married Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford, on November 18, 1781. They lived at Packington Hall in Warwickshire. They had thirteen children together, including:

• Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford (1786–1859)
• Hon. Daniel Finch (1789–1868), who was also an artist.
• Lady Frances Finch (c. 1791–1886)
• Lieutenant-General the Hon. John Finch (1793–1861)

Images for kids

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  The coat of arms associated with Louisa, Countess of Aylesford.