Emily, Lady Peel

Lady Emily Hay, known as Lady Peel, was born in 1836 and died on 23 April 1924. She was the daughter of George Hay, the 8th Marquess of Tweeddale, and Lady Susan Montagu. Her birthplace was Yester in East Lothian, Scotland, where she was baptized on 28 February 1837. She was one of ten siblings in her family.

On 13 January 1856, Lady Peel married Sir Robert Peel, the 3rd Baronet, who was the eldest son of Sir Robert Peel, the 2nd Baronet, and a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The marriage produced several children, including twin daughters Gwendolin Cecilia and Agnes Helen, born in 1860, who lived until 1964. She also had a daughter named Victoria Alexandrina Julia, born in 1865 and who died in 1935; a son named Robert, born in 1867 and who died in 1925; and another daughter, Evelyn Emily, born in 1869 and who lived until 1960.

Her husband, Sir Robert Peel, died on 9 May 1895 at the age of 73. He was found dead from hemorrhage in his bedroom at 12 Stratton Street, London. A funeral service was held at Drayton-Bassett parish church on 16 May 1895, where he was buried. Their son Robert succeeded to the baronetcy after his father’s death.

Lady Peel had personal interests in dog racing and was known for breeding borzoi, a breed of Russian greyhounds, which won awards. Additionally, the French rosarian François Lacharme named a rose cultivar after her, reflecting her involvement or appreciation in horticulture.

She passed away at the age of 88 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, on 4 April 1924.