Mary Woffington

Mary Woffington Cholmondeley (1729 – 4 April 1811) was an Irish social figure during the Georgian era. She was born in Dublin, Ireland, and was the second daughter of Arthur or John Woffington, a Catholic bricklayer, and his wife Hannah. Her sister was Margaret "Peg" Woffington, who achieved fame as a stage actress in Ireland and England.

There is limited information about Mary's early life. It is believed that she participated in minor roles, possibly including performances of The Beggar's Opera at New Booth Theatre in Dublin, where her sister was active. Her father died during her youth, after which she remained in Ireland with her mother while Peg pursued her acting career in England. In 1740, Mary accompanied her sister to London. On 20 April 1741, she appeared in a minor role as a child dancer in The Double Gallant at Covent Garden Theatre. Later that year, Peg financed her education at a Catholic convent school in Paris.

In 1744, at the age of 15, Woffington returned to England and moved to her sister's residence in Teddington. She became involved in courting members of the local gentry and expressed an interest in becoming an actress similar to her sister. With assistance from prominent figures such as David Garrick, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and George Anne Bellamy, she rehearsed a performance of The Distrest Mother at Teddington. Her professional debut occurred on 30 March 1745 at Drury Lane Theatre, where she played Cherry in The Beaux' Stratagem. Critics described her performance as mediocre, though audiences and critics were generally indulgent. She did not pursue acting further.

Following her brief theatrical stint, Woffington returned to Teddington and continued courting the local upper class. In 1746, she became involved with Robert Cholmondeley, the second son of George Cholmondeley, 3rd Earl of Cholmondeley. They married on 30 November 1746 at St Anne's Church, Soho, despite initial opposition from her husband's family and Horace Walpole, a political figure and family acquaintance. The Earl expressed concern that the marriage would worsen his financial situation, while Walpole regarded Woffington as a non-noble figure and noted the potential impact on the Cholmondeley family's reputation. However, Walpole was reportedly charmed by Woffington's beauty and wit after meeting her, and he encouraged her introduction to the Dauphin of France.

Mary Woffington gained entry into high society through her connections and personality. She became friends with Frances Burney and Samuel Johnson, the latter of whom she maintained a close friendship with until his death in 1784. Through Johnson, she was associated with The Club, a notable literary and artistic circle including Oliver Goldsmith and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Woffington was known for her engaging personality, intelligence, and her "modest salon" that attracted patrons from various literary, artistic, and clerical backgrounds.

She traveled to France with Walpole, who introduced her to Madame du Deffand, thereby integrating her into Parisian high society. After a year abroad, she became less interested in socialite pursuits, preferring the company of artists, actors, and writers. Her husband, Robert Cholmondeley, after leaving the army, became a priest in the Church of England and held various church benefices in Hertfordshire. He also served as Auditor-General of the Revenues of America, which contributed to their financial stability.

Woffington and Cholmondeley had ten children, although historical accounts vary regarding how many survived to adulthood. Some sources indicate that nine out of ten children married well, whereas others suggest fewer survived childhood. Their children included Hester Frances, who married Sir William Bellingham, and George James Cholmondeley, who married three times and inherited property through connections with John Pitt, Sir Philip Francis, and Viscount Sydney. Their son Robert Cholmondeley died in 1804, and their daughter Henrietta Maria died as a child after 1760. Their daughter, Lady Henrietta Maria, was killed in a carriage accident in 1806.

Mary Woffington passed away on 4 April 1811 in England after a long illness, outliving her sister by 51 years. Her estate and legacy included her children’s welfare and the transmission of property inherited from her family. She is depicted as a character in the 1902 stage play Pretty Peggy by Frances Aymar Mathews, based on her sister Peg Woffington's life. Several actresses have portrayed her in various theatrical adaptations.