Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, The Duchess of Sutherland (née Lady Millicent Fanny St. Clair-Erskine, 20 October 1867 – 20 August 1955) was a British society hostess, social reformer, author, editor, journalist, and playwright, often using the pen name Erskine Gower. Her first husband was Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland

Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland

Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland , styled Lord Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower until 1858, Earl Gower between 1858 and 1861 and Marquess of Stafford between 1861 and 1892, was a British peer and politician.-Background:Sutherland was the son of George...

. By her two later marriages, she was known as Lady Millicent Fitzgerald and Lady Millicent Hawes, the latter of which was the name she used at the time of her death.

Her 1904 portrait by John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent was an American artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian era luxury. During his career, he created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings...

, part of the estate of press agent Benjamin Sonnenberg

Benjamin Sonnenberg

Benjamin Sonnenberg was a Russian-born American press agent who represented celebrities and major corporations, who was best known for the lavish entertaining he did for his clients and other notables at his Manhattan townhouse located at 19 Gramercy Park South.Sonnenberg was born in...

, was sold at auction by Sotheby's

Sotheby's

Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...

 in 1979 for $210,000, setting a record for the artist's work.

She became known as one of London's foremost hostesses, associated with both the Marlborough House set and the Souls

The Souls

The Souls were a small, loosely-knit but distinctive social group in England, from 1885 to about 1920. Their members included many of the most distinguished English politicians and intellectuals....

, and she received the Croix de guerre

Croix de guerre

The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...

 for her Red Cross work during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

.

Birth and Family

Born at Dysart House, Fife

Fife

Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...

, she was the eldest daughter of the Scottish Conservative politician Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn

Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn

Robert Francis St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn , styled Lord Loughborough until 1866, was a Scottish Conservative politician...

. Her sisters were Sybil Fane, Countess of Westmorland

Sybil Fane, Countess of Westmorland

Sybil Fane, Countess of Westmorland was a socialite and member of the British aristocracy.-Background:...

 and Lady Angela Forbes. Through their mother, Blanche Adeliza Fitzroy, widow of the Hon. Charles Maynard, they were half-sisters to Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick

Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick

Frances Evelyn "Daisy" Greville, Countess of Warwick was a society beauty, and mistress to King Edward VII.-Family:...

.

Marriages

Lady Millicent St. Clair-Erskine was married three times:

She married Lord Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Marquess of Stafford, eldest son and heir of the 3rd Duke of Sutherland, on October 20, 1884, her 17th birthday. They had four children:

• Lady Victoria Elizabeth Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1885–1888)
• George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland
  George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland
  George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland PC, KT , styled Earl Gower until 1892 and Marquess of Stafford between 1892 and 1913, was a British courtier, patron of the film industry and Conservative politician...
  
   (1888–1963)
• Alastair St. Clair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1890–1921), married Elizabeth Demarest and had Elizabeth Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 24th Countess of Sutherland.
• Lady Rosemary Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1893–1930), married William Ward, 3rd Earl of Dudley
  William Ward, 3rd Earl of Dudley
  William Humble Eric Ward, 3rd Earl of Dudley, MC , known as Viscount Ednam until 1932, was a British Conservative politician.-Biography:...
  
   and had issue.

In 1914 (divorced 1919) Millicent, as the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, married Major (later Brig. Gen.) Desmond Percy Fitzgerald, 11th Hussars, at which time she became known as Lady Millicent Fitzgerald.

In 1919 (divorced 1925) Lady Millicent Fitzgerald married Lt. Col. George Hawes, at which time she became known as Lady Millicent Hawes.

Publications

• One Hour and the Next, 1899 (novel)
• The Wind of the World: Seven Love Stories, London: William Heinemann, 1902 (short-story collection, written as Millicent Sutherland)
• How I Spent My Twenty-first Year (memoir)
• The Conqueror, 1905 (play and lyrics to incidental music, written as R.E. Fyffe)
• Six Weeks at the War, Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1915 (war memoir, written as Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland)

Titles and Styles

• The Lady Millicent St. Clair-Erskine, 1867–1884
• Marchioness of Stafford (as wife of heir to the Duke of Sutherland), 1884–1892
• Her Grace The Duchess of Sutherland, 1892–1913
• Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, 1913–1914
• The Lady Millicent Fitzgerald, 1914–1919
• The Lady Millicent Hawes, 1919–1955

Resources

• Stuart, Denis. Dear Duchess: Millicent Duchess of Sutherland, 1867-1955. David & Charles (April 1982). ISBN 0575030208 ISBN 978-0575030206
• "Women in Great Social Positions: Britain's Most Versatile Peeress, The Duchess of Sutherland

Ancestry