Amabel Kerr

Lady Amabel Frederica Henrietta Kerr (née Cowper) was born on 24 March 1846 in St George Hanover Square, London, England. She was the daughter of George Cowper, the 6th Earl Cowper, and Lady Anne Florence de Grey, who succeeded as the sixth Baroness Lucas of Crudwell after her husband's death. Her familial connections include her siblings: Lady Henrietta Emily Mary Cowper (deceased 1853), Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper, who became the 7th Earl Cowper (1834–1905), The Honourable Henry Frederick Cowper (1836–1887), Lady Florence Amabel Cowper (1837–1886), married to the Honourable Auberon Herbert in 1871, and Lady Adine Eliza Anne Cowper (1840–1868), married to the Honourable Julian Fane in 1866.

In her early years, Lady Amabel engaged in literary pursuits, producing a journal that later was published as "Unravelled Convictions," which detailed her spiritual journey through doubts and convictions leading to her conversion to the Catholic Church in 1872. Her writings from this period explore her mental stages until November 1868 and were republished by the Catholic Truth Society approximately thirty years later.

In 1873, Lady Amabel married Lord Walter Kerr, who later attained the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. Following her conversion, she actively contributed to Catholic literature and served as a leading member of the Catholic Truth Society, frequently participating in its meetings and producing numerous works intended for instruction and edification. Her publications include "Before Our Lord Came," an Old Testament history for children; the "Bible Picture Book for Catholic Children"; "Life of Our Lord"; and biographies of saints such as Joan of Arc, Blessed Sebastian Valfre, and others including St. Martin, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Philip Benizi. She also authored shorter biographical sketches of figures like Alexis Clerc and Auguste Marceau.

Lady Amabel translated works from German, including Father Maurice Meschler’s "The Gift of Pentecost" and a volume of "Spiritual Counsels" based on François Fénelon's letters. In fiction, her titles "A Mixed Marriage" and "One Woman's Work" (later titled "The Whole Difference") found some popularity. She was the editor of the Catholic Magazine, the publication of the Catholic Truth Society, and served on its committee.

Her translation of Ludwig Pastor's "History of the Popes" from German was near completion at her death; her work on the volume concerning Pope Leo X was almost finished when she died in October 1906 in Melbourne, Derbyshire, England. She was buried at St. David's Churchyard, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland.

In 1903, reports indicated that Lady Amabel was among the co-heirs to the barony of Butler, sharing inheritance with individuals including Mr. Auberon Herbert and Mrs. W. H. Grenfell. Her brother, Lord Cowper, the 7th Earl Cowper, died childless, leading to her descendants inheriting portions of the Cowper estates, including Brocket Hall and Melbourne Hall. George Robinson, Marquis of Ripon, was her cousin.

References to her life and works continue through her publications, which encompass religious biographies, devotional literature, and translations, reflecting her active engagement with Catholic missionary and literary activities during her lifetime. She passed away on 15 October 1906 at Melbourne, Derbyshire.