Emily Ashley-Cooper, Countess Of Shaftesbury

Emily Caroline Catherine Frances Ashley-Cooper, Countess of Shaftesbury (6 November 1810 – 15 October 1872), was born Lady Emily Cowper, the daughter of Peter Clavering-Cowper, 5th Earl Cowper, and his wife Emily. She was known as "Minny" and was the second child in her family, after her brother, George Cowper, who became the 6th Earl Cowper. Her younger siblings included William Cowper-Temple, 1st Baron Mount Temple, and The Honorable Charles Cowper. Her sister, Frances, was married to a viscountess.

It was widely believed that her biological father was Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, though her mother married Earl Cowper in 1839 following his death. Emily's family and parentage connections linked her to prominent noble families in Britain.

On 10 June 1830, Emily married Anthony Ashley-Cooper, who was then known as Lord Ashley and was heir to Cropley Ashley-Cooper, 6th Earl of Shaftesbury. After her husband's succession to the earldom in 1851, Emily became the Countess of Shaftesbury.

The couple had ten children:

1. Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 8th Earl of Shaftesbury (1831–1886), who married Lady Harriet Chichester, daughter of George Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall, and had children.

2. Hon. Anthony Francis Henry Ashley-Cooper (1833–1849).

3. Hon. Anthony Maurice William Ashley-Cooper (1835–1855).

4. Rt. Hon. Evelyn Melbourne Ashley (1836–1907). He was married twice: first to Sybella Charlotte Farquhar, daughter of Sir Walter Rockcliffe Farquhar, 3rd Baronet, and second to Lady Alice Elizabeth Cole, daughter of William Willoughby Cole, 3rd Earl of Enniskillen. He had one child from his first marriage.

5. Lady Victoria Elizabeth Ashley (1837–1927), later Lady Templemore, who married Harry Chichester, 2nd Baron Templemore, and had children.

6. Hon. Anthony Lionel George Ashley-Cooper (1838–1914), who married Frances Elizabeth Leigh; they had no children.

7. Lady Mary Charlotte Ashley-Cooper (1842–1861).

8. Lady Constance Emily Ashley-Cooper, known as "Conty" (1845–1872). She died two months after her mother.

9. Lady Edith Florence Ashley-Cooper (1847–1913).

10. Hon. Anthony Cecil Ashley-Cooper (1849–1932).

The death of the Countess of Shaftesbury occurred at their town house in Grosvenor Square, London, when she was aged 61. Her husband described her as "my earthly mainstay" and praised her for her truth, simplicity, joyfulness, and purity of spirit. Her death followed closely after her daughter Lady Constance, who died two months later, also in London.