Louisa Montagu, Countess of Sandwich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Sandwich
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Lady Louisa Lowry-Corry, Countess of Sandwich - painting by Thomas Lawrence as "Hope"
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| Born |
Hon. Louisa Mary Anne Julia Harriet Lowry-Corry
3 April 1781 Ireland
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| Died | 19 April 1862 (aged 81) |
| Burial place | Barnwell, Northamptonshire, England |
| Spouse(s) |
George Montagu, 6th Earl of Sandwich
(m. 1804; died 1818) |
| Children |
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| Parent(s) | Armar Lowry-Corry, 1st Earl Belmore Lady Harriet Hobart |
Louisa Montagu (born Louisa Lowry-Corry) was an important Irish noblewoman. She lived from 1781 to 1862. In 1804, she married George Montagu, who later became the 6th Earl of Sandwich.
She was a subject for famous artists, including Sir Thomas Lawrence, who painted her portrait. A famous sculptor named Antonio Canova also made a statue (bust) of her.
Early Life and Family
Louisa was born in Ireland on April 3, 1781. Her father was Armar Lowry-Corry, 1st Earl Belmore, an Irish nobleman and politician. Her mother was Lady Harriet Hobart.
Louisa had a half-brother named Somerset Lowry-Corry, 2nd Earl Belmore. He was from her father's first marriage. Louisa likely spent some of her early years at Castle Coole in County Fermanagh. Her father had rebuilt this large house in 1789.
Louisa's parents separated in 1793. The next year, her mother married William Kerr, 6th Marquess of Lothian. Her mother had four more children with him. Louisa's father later married Mary Anne Caldwell. Because her parents separated, Louisa was sent to live with a relative, Lady Castlereagh.
Marriage and Children
Lady Louisa married George John Montagu on July 9, 1804. At the time, he was known as Viscount Hinchingbrooke. He was also a Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire.
In 1814, her husband became the 6th Earl of Sandwich. From then on, Louisa was known as the Countess of Sandwich.
Louisa and George had three children:
- Lady Harriet Mary Montagu (born 1805, died 1857). She married William Bingham Baring.
- Lady Catherine Caroline Montagu (born 1808, died 1834). She married Count Alexandre Joseph Colonna-Walewski.
- John William Montagu, 7th Earl of Sandwich (born 1811, died 1884). He became the 7th Earl of Sandwich after his father. He married Lady Mary Paget, and later Lady Blanche Egerton.
Life After Her Husband's Death
In 1818, Louisa's husband passed away. She then moved to Europe, living in Paris for many years. She first lived in the former home of Talleyrand, a famous French diplomat. Later, she moved to a different mansion in Paris.
Louisa had to return to England in 1848. This was because of the Revolutions of 1848, which caused a lot of unrest in France and other parts of Europe.
The writer Thomas Carlyle mentioned Louisa in a letter in 1848. He described her as "brisk-talking, friendly and an entertaining character." He also said she "has been beautiful" and had "plenty of money, fair health, but nothing to do."
Louisa died on April 19, 1862, when she was 81 years old. She was buried in Barnwell, Northamptonshire. After her death, Jane Carlyle, Thomas Carlyle's wife, wrote about how much they missed Lady Sandwich. She said Louisa was a "charming companion and the loyallest, warmest friend."
In Art
A statue (bust) of Lady Louisa was created by the famous Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova. She was also painted in at least three portraits. One of these was an allegorical portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence. In this painting, she is shown as Hope. This painting is displayed at the La Salle University Art Museum.
