Priscilla Fane, Countess of Westmorland facts for kids
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Priscilla Anne Fane (born Wellesley-Pole), also known as the Countess of Westmorland, was a very talented British woman who lived from 1793 to 1879. She was known for her skills as a linguist, meaning she was good at languages. Priscilla was also a distinguished artist, creating many beautiful paintings.
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Who Was Priscilla Anne Fane?
Priscilla Anne Wellesley-Pole was born in 1793. She was the fourth child of William Wellesley-Pole, who later became the first Baron Maryborough. Her mother was Katharine Elizabeth.
Family and Important Connections
A very famous person in British history, Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, was Priscilla's uncle. He was a great military leader. Priscilla was one of his favorite relatives. The Duke of Wellington thought highly of her political judgment. Even Lord Melbourne, who was a Prime Minister, used Priscilla to talk with the Duke of Wellington about forming a new government. This shows how smart and trusted she was!
Her Marriage and New Name
In 1811, Priscilla married John Fane, Lord Burghersh. They had five sons and one daughter together. Sadly, only two of her children, Francis Fane and Lady Rose Weigall, lived longer than she did. When her husband became the eleventh Earl of Westmorland in 1841, Priscilla became known as the Countess of Westmorland.
Her Artistic Talents
Priscilla was not only good with languages but also a very skilled artist. When she was known as Lady Burghersh, she showed six of her paintings at the Suffolk Street Exhibition between 1833 and 1841. Later, in 1843 and 1857, she sent two paintings with religious themes to the British Institution.
One of her most famous paintings shows Anne, Countess of Mornington. In this picture, Anne is surrounded by her three famous sons: Lord Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Cowley. This painting was so well-known that copies were made of it.
A Special Painting
Priscilla took art lessons from an artist named William Salter. She was also a very supportive patron to him, meaning she helped him with his art. One day, Salter was in Hyde Park and saw a big celebration happening at the Duke of Wellington's house. It was a victory banquet! Priscilla convinced her uncle, the Duke, to let Salter paint this important event. Salter's painting became a masterpiece, featuring 83 portraits of the people who were there.
Later Life
Priscilla Anne Fane passed away in London on February 18, 1879. She was buried in Apethorpe, Northamptonshire, on February 25. Her daughter, Lady Rose Weigall, later put together two books of letters that Priscilla had written.
