Maria Kinnaird

Maria Kinnaird (1810–1891), born on St. Vincent, was orphaned when La Soufrière erupted in 1812 and was later adopted by the politician Richard Sharp, known as "Conversation Sharp".[1] Sharp was once considered possibly to be the most popular man in London of his time. Through her adoptive father, she inherited not only a considerable fortune but a wide network of influential friends and contacts, particularly among Whig circles. She became a prominent socialite and leading hostess in London during the mid-Victorian period and was described as being an accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman.[2] In 1835, she married Thomas Drummond, who developed the use of Drummond Light in surveying.[3] She would be her husband's mainstay during his final years as Under-Secretary for Ireland (1835–1840).

Maria Kinnaird
Born1810
St Vincent
Died1891
Fredley, Mickleham, Surrey, England
Resting placeMickleham, Surrey
NationalityBritish
Known forHeiress, socialite
Spouse(s)Thomas Drummond
Childrenthree daughters

Biography

Maria was given every advantage, educationally, socially, and culturally and came to know many of the prominent artists, musicians, politicians, and socialites of the time.[4] When her adoptive father died, she moved into a house in Hyde Park Gardens while maintaining the family retreat, Fredley, in Mickleham, Surrey.

As a teenager, Maria became friends with Dora Wordsworth. Some of the correspondence, resulting from their friendship which lasted until Dora's death, still exists.[5] Maria is said to have possessed an exceptional singing voice of which William Wordsworth was particularly enamoured. Among her many friends were Sydney Smith, the artist J.M.W. Turner, John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, Professor Wheatstone, George Meredith, Charles Babbage, Michael Faraday, Austen Henry Layard, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne, Henry Hart Milman, Richard Westmacott, Sir George Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet, Sir Charles Barry, Archbishop Richard Whately, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton and Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell. These men and many others were entertained by Maria at Hyde Park Gardens and at Fredley between the years 1843 and 1891.[6] Her social circle was extensive and notable.[7][8]

Family life

At one time, there were rumours that Maria would marry the historian Thomas Macaulay. The son of Samuel Romilly was also thought to have been infatuated with her; but, in the end, she married army surveyor Thomas Drummond at Weston House, the impressive home of Sir George Philips, 1st Baronet.[2] She became her husband's mainstay during a particularly stressful period—which eventually led to his death—when he successfully acted as Under-Secretary for Ireland (1835–1840).[9]

Maria and Thomas had three daughters, Fanny, Mary (who became the wife of Joseph Kay), and Emily. In her declining years, it is said that Robert Browning frequently visited Maria at Fredley to read her some of his and his wife's poetry.[10]

Death

Maria died in 1891 and was buried in Mickleham churchyard. She left a self-portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually gave it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by Richard Sharp from Hester Thrale for just over £128 in 1816.[11]

Her biography, Maria Drummond – A Sketch was written by the author/publisher, Charles Kegan Paul,[12] at the request of two of her daughters.[13]

Notes

    References
    1. Knapman, D. – 'Conversation Sharp – The Biography of a London Gentleman, Richard Sharp (1759–1835), in Letters, Prose and Verse'. (Private Publication, 2004)
    2. Stanley H. Palmer, 'Drummond, Thomas (1797–1840)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 11 Jan 2009
    3. Limelight – Leeds University. Retrieved 18 July 2008
    4. see for example: http://lordbyron.org/persRec.php?choose=PersRefs&selectPerson=MaDrumm1891
    5. Manuscript Collection MC100,University Library, Davis, California : Correspondence written by Dorothy Wordsworth to Richard Sharp (1759–1835) and Maria Kinnaird between 1826 and 1849.
    6. Knapman, D. – 'Conversation Sharp – The Biography of a London Gentleman, Richard Sharp (1759–1835), in Letters, Prose and Verse'.Page 370. (Private Publication, 2004)
    7. Lord Byron and his Times : http://lordbyron.cath.lib.vt.edu/persRec.php?choose=PersRefs&selectPerson=MaDrumm1891
    8. The Letters of Matthew Arnold. Letter to Mrs Drummond dated 26 June 1867.
    9. see 'Thomas Drummond: Life and Letters' by O'Brian. Pub. Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. 1889
    10. see Paul, C. Kegan : 'Maria Drummond – A Sketch' 1891 p.89
    11. The Streatham worthies, Thrale.com. Retrieved 7 January 2009
    12. see Paul, C. Kegan : 'Maria Drummond – A Sketch' 1891
    13. Memories. Charles Kegan Paul, 1899 then 1971, ISBN 0-7100-6944-8
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