Georgiana Clavering-Cowper, Countess Cowper

Georgiana Caroline Clavering-Cowper, Countess Cowper (née Hon. Georgiana Carteret), was born on 12 March 1715 and died on 21 August 1780. She was an English noblewoman known for her status and patronage in literary circles.

Family Background:

She was the third daughter of John Carteret and his first wife, Frances Worsley. Her father, John Carteret, was a prominent nobleman, and her maternal lineage connected her to the Worsley family.

First Marriage and Children:

On 14 February 1734, Georgiana Carteret married John Spencer, a Member of Parliament. Together, they had two children:

- John Spencer, who later became the 1st Earl Spencer, born on 19 December 1734. He married Margaret Georgiana Poyntz in 1755, and their children included Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire.

- Diana Spencer, born circa 1735, died around 1743.

Death of First Husband and Second Marriage:

John Spencer died in 1746; Horace Walpole noted that his death was related to alcohol consumption. On 1 May 1750, Georgiana married William Clavering-Cowper, the 2nd Earl Cowper. His first wife, Henrietta Nassau d'Auverquerque, had died in 1747, leaving him with two children from that marriage. There were no children from Georgiana's second marriage. William Clavering-Cowper died in 1764, after which his title was succeeded by their stepson, George Clavering-Cowper.

Literary Patronage and Personal Connections:

Georgiana was known to admire the novelist Laurence Sterne. She was also a patron of Irish writer John Carteret Pilkington (1730–1763). Pilkington authored "The Real Story of John Carteret Pilkington," published in 1760, a semi-autobiographical work. Pilkington was named in honor of her father, who was his godfather, and named his daughter after her in recognition of her support.

Godparentage and Portraiture:

She served as the godmother to Georgiana Caroline Pilkington (1757–1838), who became the mother of the scientist Admiral William Henry Smyth, and artists Phoebe Earle and Augustus Earle. Her portrait was painted by Godfrey Kneller, a renowned portrait artist. The painting was later copied by Elizabeth "Mrs Delany," whose sister Anne was a correspondence of the countess.

Death:

Georgiana Caroline Clavering-Cowper died on 21 August 1780 at the age of 65.