AKA Elizabeth Robinson Montagu

Born: 2-Oct-1720
Birthplace: York, North Yorkshire, England
Died: 25-Aug-1800
Location of death: London, England
Cause of death: unspecified

Gender: Female
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Socialite

Nationality: England
Executive summary: English leader of society

English leader of society, was born at York on the 2nd of October 1720. In 1742 she married Charles Montagu, cousin of Edward Wortley Montagu and son of the Earl of Sandwich -- a wealthy man, considerably her senior. Thanks to her, his Mayfair house became the social center of intellectual society in London, and her breakfast parties and evening conversationes gained for her from her admirers the title of "The Madame du Deffand of the English capital." In other quarters the term "blue-stocking" was applied to her guests, the luminaries among whom include Horace Walpole, Samuel Johnson, David Garrick, and Joshua Reynolds. From her husband, who died in 1775, she inherited a considerable fortune and large estates, in the management of which she showed much ability. In 1781 she built Sandleford Priory, near Newbury, and Montagu House, now 22 Portman Square, London, the latter from designs by James Stuart. With the colliers in the north she was extremely popular, and every May Day she entertained the London chimney sweeps. In 1769 she authored an Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespear. Elizabeth Montagu died on the 25th of August 1800. There is an admirable portrait of her by Reynolds.

Husband: Charles Montagu (m. 1742, d. 1775)

Author of books:
Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare (1769)

Do you know something we don't?
Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile

Copyright ©2019 Soylent Communications