Margaret Lindsay Ramsay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Lindsay Ramsay
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Margaret Lindsay by Allan Ramsay (Scottish National Gallery)
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| Born | c. 1726 |
| Died | 1782 |
| Spouse(s) | Allan Ramsay |
| Children | 3 |
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| Relatives |
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| Family | Clan Lindsay Clan Murray |
Margaret Lindsay (born around 1726, died 1782) was an important Scottish woman. She was the oldest daughter of Sir Alexander Lindsay, 3rd Baronet, who lived in Evelick. Margaret was part of two well-known Scottish families, the Clan Murray and the Clan Lindsay. The Lindsay family had been involved in the Jacobite rising in the past.
In 1752, Margaret married a famous artist named Allan Ramsay. She became a model for many of his beautiful paintings.
Her Marriage to Allan Ramsay
Margaret's marriage was quite a big deal for her family. On March 1, 1752, she and Allan Ramsay secretly got married in Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. This was Allan's second marriage, and Margaret's parents did not agree to it.
Her parents were upset because they felt she married someone who was not from a family as high-ranking as theirs. They never truly forgave her. However, her brother, John, always supported her until he passed away.
Allan Ramsay wrote to Margaret's father to explain things. He promised to provide for Margaret, even though he already had a daughter from his first marriage and two sisters to support. He said he could give Margaret £100 a year, and this amount would grow as his own success increased. He also made it clear that he married Margaret for love, not for her family's wealth.
Family Life
Margaret and Allan had a long and happy marriage. They had three children who lived to be adults: Amelia (born 1755, died 1813), Charlotte (born 1758, died 1818), and John (born 1768, died 1845). Sadly, some of their other children died when they were babies. These included twins named Alexander and Amelia, born in 1752, and another son named Alexander, born in 1754.
Her Famous Portrait
In 1758, Allan Ramsay painted a beautiful portrait of his wife. This painting is now known as The Artist's Wife: Margaret Lindsay of Evelick, c 1726 - 1782. You can see this painting at the National Galleries of Scotland. The gallery also has some of the early sketches Allan made while preparing for the portrait.
