Catherine, Lady Walpole

Catherine, Lady Walpole (née Shorter), was born in 1682 and died on 20 August 1737. She was the daughter of Sir John Shorter of Bybrook, Kent, who was a wealthy merchant. Her paternal grandfather was Sir John Shorter, who served as Lord Mayor of London. Her mother was Elizabeth Philipps, daughter of Sir Erasmus Philipps, 3rd Baronet. Catherine had at least one sibling, Charlotte Shorter, who became the third wife of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Baron Conway. Charlotte was the mother of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford.

In 1700, Catherine Shorter married Sir Robert Walpole of Houghton Hall, Norfolk. Robert Walpole is recognized as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. At the time of their marriage, Catherine brought a dowry of £20,000. The Walpole marriage produced six children: Robert Walpole, who later became the 2nd Earl of Orford; Katherine Walpole; Horatio Walpole; Mary Walpole; Sir Edward Walpole; and Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford.

Catherine was known for her affluent lifestyle, often attending the opera and purchasing expensive clothing and jewelry. During Sir Robert Walpole's tenure as Prime Minister, the couple experienced periods of estrangement. Robert Walpole reportedly had multiple mistresses, including Maria Skerrett, with whom he lived at Richmond, Surrey, and at Houghton Hall even while Lady Walpole was alive. Controversy arose surrounding the apparent absence of the youngest son, Horace Walpole, in physical resemblance to his siblings or to Sir Robert Walpole, leading to speculation that Horace might not be Robert Walpole's biological son. At that time, Lady Walpole was reportedly involved with Carr Hervey, Lord Hervey, the son of John Hervey, 1st Earl of Bristol.

Among her children:

- Robert Walpole (1701–1751) married Margaret Rolle, later the 15th Baroness Clinton, and they had one son.

- Katherine Walpole (1703–1722) died unmarried at Bath, Somerset.

- Horatio Walpole (1704–1704) died in infancy.

- Mary Walpole (c. 1706–1732) married George Cholmondeley, 3rd Earl of Cholmondeley, and had two sons.

- Sir Edward Walpole (c. 1706–1784) was unmarried but had four illegitimate children with Dorothy Clement, including daughters Laura, Maria, and Charlotte. Maria was notable for her marriages to James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave, and subsequently Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester.

- Horace Walpole (1717–1797) became the 4th Earl of Orford.

Catherine Walpole passed away in 1737. She is interred at the Church of St Martin on the Walpole estate at Houghton in Norfolk. Additionally, she has a memorial plaque located at Westminster Abbey.