Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland
Encyclopedia
Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard (21 May 1806 – 27 October 1868) was born Lady Harriet Howard, daughter of the 6th Earl of Carlisle
and his wife Lady Georgiana Cavendish, who was a daughter of the famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. On 18 May 1823 Harriet married Earl Gower, eldest son of the 2nd Marquess of Stafford, and a man twenty years her senior. Her father-in-law was created Duke of Sutherland
in 1833, and was succeeded by his son later that year, whereupon Harriet became Duchess of Sutherland.
She served several times as Mistress of the Robes
to her great friend Queen Victoria
, a post which was later held by her eldest daughter Elizabeth Georgiana (Duchess of Argyll) and her daughter-in-law Anne (Duchess of Sutherland). The duchess was an active Whig
and a close friend and correspondent of William Ewart Gladstone
. She introduced the Italian revolutionary Garibaldi into London high society and organised a petition from the women of England in support of the abolition of slavery.
In 1871, while her son-in-law, the Duke of Argyll
, was serving in the Cabinet
, his son (Harriet's grandson), Lord Lorne
, married one of Victoria's daughters, Princess Louise
. Harriet's eldest son became 3rd Duke of Sutherland in 1861, and her younger daughters became wives of the 12th Lord Blantyre
, the 4th Duke of Leinster and the 1st Duke of Westminster, respectively.
In 1861 the 4th Rogart Company of the 1st Sutherland Volunteer Rifle Corps formed up and bore the title, Duchess Harriet's Company Rogart upon the pouch-belt plate. See Grierson's 'Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force' published 1909
George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle
George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Morpeth until 1825, was a British statesman...
and his wife Lady Georgiana Cavendish, who was a daughter of the famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. On 18 May 1823 Harriet married Earl Gower, eldest son of the 2nd Marquess of Stafford, and a man twenty years her senior. Her father-in-law was created Duke of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland, derived from Sutherland in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom held by the head of the Leveson-Gower family. It was created by William IV in 1833 for George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford...
in 1833, and was succeeded by his son later that year, whereupon Harriet became Duchess of Sutherland.
She served several times as Mistress of the Robes
Mistress of the Robes
The Mistress of the Robes is the senior lady of the British Royal Household. Formerly responsible for the Queen's clothes and jewellery, the post now has the responsibility for arranging the rota of attendance of the Ladies in Waiting on the Queen, along with various duties at State ceremonies...
to her great friend Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, a post which was later held by her eldest daughter Elizabeth Georgiana (Duchess of Argyll) and her daughter-in-law Anne (Duchess of Sutherland). The duchess was an active Whig
British Whig Party
The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...
and a close friend and correspondent of William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
. She introduced the Italian revolutionary Garibaldi into London high society and organised a petition from the women of England in support of the abolition of slavery.
In 1871, while her son-in-law, the Duke of Argyll
George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll
George John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, PC, FRS, FRSE , styled Marquess of Lorne until 1847, was a Scottish peer, Liberal politician as well as a writer on science, religion, and the politics of the 19th century.-Background:Argyll was born at Ardencaple Castle, Dunbartonshire, the...
, was serving in the Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
, his son (Harriet's grandson), Lord Lorne
John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll
John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, GCMG, GCVO, VD, PC , usually better known by the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, by which he was known between 1847 and 1900, was a British nobleman and was the fourth Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883...
, married one of Victoria's daughters, Princess Louise
Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll
The Princess Louise was a member of the British Royal Family, the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, Prince Consort.Louise's early life was spent moving between the various royal residences in the...
. Harriet's eldest son became 3rd Duke of Sutherland in 1861, and her younger daughters became wives of the 12th Lord Blantyre
Charles Stuart, 12th Lord Blantyre
Charles Walter Stuart, 12th Lord Blantyre DL , styled Master of Blantyre from birth until 1830, was a Scottish politician and landowner with ....
, the 4th Duke of Leinster and the 1st Duke of Westminster, respectively.
In 1861 the 4th Rogart Company of the 1st Sutherland Volunteer Rifle Corps formed up and bore the title, Duchess Harriet's Company Rogart upon the pouch-belt plate. See Grierson's 'Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force' published 1909