Harriet Leveson-Gower, Countess Granville

Harriet Leveson-Gower, Countess Granville (born Lady Henrietta Elizabeth Cavendish; 29 August 1785 – 25 November 1862), was a British society hostess and writer. She was the younger daughter of Lady Georgiana Spencer and William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire. She was born at Devonshire House in Piccadilly, London, and belonged to the influential Cavendish and Spencer families, which held significant wealth and social standing in 19th-century Britain.

Her early life was marked by a privileged upbringing, although her family’s marriage was characterized by discord. Harriet's mother, Lady Georgiana Spencer, was a prominent supporter of the Whig Party and a fashion leader in Georgian society. Harriet had an older sister, Georgiana, and a brother, William, born in 1790 after sixteen years of marriage between their parents. The family’s household included Elizabeth Foster, who was the Duke’s mistress, and her two illegitimate children, who were raised alongside Harriet and her siblings.

Harriet was raised largely under the supervision of her governess, Miss Selina Trimmer, from the age of three. Trimmer aimed to instill moral principles and religious piety in Harriet, influences that persisted into her later life. Harriet displayed early literary interests, notably in letter writing, and was recognized for her intelligence and wit. Unlike her sister Georgiana, whose London season resulted in advantageous marriage proposals, Harriet remained unmarried through her early twenties, with her family initially considering an arranged marriage with her cousin John, Viscount Duncannon, which did not materialize.

Following her mother's death in 1806, Harriet's household life was affected by her father’s mistress, Elizabeth Foster, whose presence altered household dynamics and caused Harriet to distance herself from Elizabeth. Throughout her youth, Harriet maintained a close correspondence with her sister, often communicating in both English and French.

In 1809, Harriet married Lord Granville Leveson-Gower, a diplomat with whom she had known since childhood. His relationship with her maternal aunt, Elizabeth Foster, had lasted seventeen years, contributing to the complex social context of Harriet’s marriage. Though initially unenthusiastic about him, Harriet's opinion of Granville improved as she agreed to marry him to retain her social position and for familial reasons. Granville was a member of the British diplomatic service, often serving as ambassador to France between 1824 and 1841.

The marriage produced five children: Susan (1810–1866), Lady Georgiana Fullerton (1812–1885), Granville (1815–1891), William (1816–1833), who died young, and Frederick (1819–1907). The couple also adopted Harriet’s and Granville’s illegitimate children with other partners, George Stewart and Granville.

As a society hostess, Harriet was responsible for organizing social functions during her husband’s diplomatic postings. Her correspondence, which includes humorous descriptions of her social circle and daily life, has been regarded as a valuable historical resource documenting the life of a 19th-century ambassadress and aristocratic society. Between 1894 and 1990, four edited collections of her letters were published, providing insights into her personal experiences and the social norms of her time.

Harriet Leveson-Gower, Countess Granville, died on 25 November 1862.