Mary Palmer facts for kids
Mary Palmer (born Mary Reynolds; 1716–1794) was a British writer from Devon, England. She wrote a famous book called Devonshire Dialogue. This book was once thought to be the best writing in the local language of Devon. Mary was also the mother of the painter Theophila Gwatkin. Her brothers and sisters included the famous artist Sir Joshua Reynolds and the writer Elizabeth Johnson.
Contents
Mary Palmer's Early Life and Family
Mary was the oldest daughter and third child of Samuel Reynolds. Her father was the headmaster of the Plympton Earl grammar school in Devon. Her mother was Theophila Potter.
Mary was seven years older than her brother Joshua Reynolds. People say her love for drawing helped inspire him when he was a boy. In 1740, she gave £60 to help Joshua train with the portrait painter Thomas Hudson. Nine years later, she also helped pay for his trip to Italy.
Joshua Reynolds painted two pictures of his sister Mary. One was made around 1747. The other was painted when she was about 60 years old. These paintings were passed down to her great-grandson, George Stawell.
Mary's other siblings included the artist Frances Reynolds and the writer Elizabeth Johnson.
About Devonshire Dialogue
Mary Palmer wrote a book called Devonshire Dialogue. In 1895, the Dictionary of National Biography said it was the "best piece of literature in the local language of Devon."
The book describes the customs, people, and unique way of speaking in western England. Mary wrote it in the mid-1700s. She showed it to her friends, and parts of it were printed in magazines while she was alive. However, her name was not put on them.
A part of the book was published in 1837. It included a list of local words explained by her grandson, James Frederick Palmer. A full version was put together by her daughter, Theophila Gwatkin, in 1839. Another edition came out in 1869.
Mary Palmer's Marriage and Home
On July 18, 1740, Mary Reynolds married John Palmer (1708–1770). He was a lawyer from Great Torrington, Devonshire. John Palmer was also the Mayor of Great Torrington three times.
In 1752, John built a house in Great Torrington. It is now known as Palmer House. The famous writer Dr. Samuel Johnson stayed there with the Palmers. He visited Devon with Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Mary Palmer's Children
Mary and John Palmer had five children. They had two sons and three daughters:
- Joseph Palmer (1749–1829) became a church leader called the Dean of Cashel. He also wrote a book called A Four Months' Tour in France. He lived at Beam House in Great Torrington.
- John Palmer (1752–1827) was an Honorary Canon of Lincoln Cathedral.
- Mary II Palmer (1750–1820) spent a lot of time in London with her uncle, Sir Joshua Reynolds. He loved her very much and painted her picture. He left her a large amount of money in his will. In 1792, she married Murrough O'Brien, who was the 5th Earl of Inchiquin. Mary did not have any children. When she died in 1820, she left her money to her brother John Palmer.
- Theophila ('Offy') Palmer (1757–1848) married Robert Lovell Gwatkin in 1781.
- Elizabeth Palmer (1758–1784) married William Salkeld in Great Torrington on April 26, 1781.
Images for kids
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Mary O'Brien, Countess of Inchiquin, by Thomas Phillips after an original by Sir Joshua Reynolds. This painting is at Petworth House, Sussex.
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Mary O'Brien, Countess of Inchiquin, painted before 1785 by her uncle Sir Joshua Reynolds. This painting is at Fairfax House, City of York.
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Theophila Palmer, a print made by John Raphael Smith from an original by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Published in 1778, it is at the British Museum.
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Theophila Palmer, a print made by John Raphael Smith from an original by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Made in 1767 and published in 1777, it is at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
