Charles Gardiner, 1st Earl Of Blessington

Charles John Gardiner, 1st Earl of Blessington (1782 – 25 May 1829), was an Irish peer. He was the son of William Gardiner and inherited the title of Viscount Mountjoy in 1798. Gardiner was elected an Irish representative peer in 1809 and was created Earl of Blessington in 1816.

In his personal life, Gardiner was previously married; his first wife died sometime after 1812. He had two illegitimate children prior to his marriage and later fathered two legitimate children, Lady Harriet Gardiner and Luke Wellington Gardiner, Viscount Mountjoy, with his first wife.

Gardiner married Margaret Power, née Farmer, on 16 February 1818 at St Mary's, Bryanston Square, London. Margaret Power was the daughter of William Power and had previously been married. After her first husband's death, she spent nearly three years with her parents, then moved to Cahir, followed by Dublin in 1809. Between 1809 and 1814, she lived with Captain Thomas Jenkins of the 11th light dragoons, with whom she developed a close relationship.

During her stay in Hampshire, Margaret Power met Charles Gardiner, who was seven years her senior. Jenkins received £10,000 from Gardiner to cover jewels and clothing purchased for Margaret, and his approval was obtained for her marriage to Gardiner. Following their marriage, she adopted the name Marguerite.

The couple honeymooned in Ireland and later moved into a leased town mansion at 10 St. James's Square, London, in 1820. This residence, now associated with Chatham House, became a notable social hub. Despite an annual income of approximately £30,000 from Gardiner’s Irish estates, their expenses and tastes led to significant debt.

In 1822, Gardiner and Margaret traveled on the continent, accompanied by Margaret’s younger sister, Mary Anne. They met Count D'Orsay in Avignon on 20 November 1822, and in 1823, they settled in Genoa for four months. While in Italy, they often met Lord Byron in Naples, which provided Lady Blessington with material for her "Conversations with Lord Byron." They later spent time in Florence with Walter Savage Landor, author of "Imaginary Conversations."

On 1 December 1827, Count D'Orsay married Harriet Gardiner, Margaret’s stepdaughter, strengthening his connection with Lady Blessington. Towards the end of 1828, the Blessingtons and D'Orsay moved to Paris and resided at the Hôtel Maréchal Ney. On 25 May 1829, Charles Gardiner died suddenly at the age of 46 from an apoplectic stroke.

Following Gardiner's death, D'Orsay and his wife accompanied Lady Blessington to England, but soon separated. D'Orsay lived with Lady Blessington until her death, and she managed the lease of the Earl’s St James's house.