Sybil Grant

Lady Sybil Myra Caroline Grant (née Primrose) was born on 18 September 1879 and died on 25 February 1955. She was a British writer and artist, the eldest child of Archibald Primrose, the 5th Earl of Rosebery, and his wife, Hannah de Rothschild. Her father served as Prime Minister to Queen Victoria from 1894 to 1895. Her mother was the only child of Mayer Amschel de Rothschild and a granddaughter of Nathan Mayer Rothschild. Through her mother, the Mentmore Towers estate was inherited by the Rosebery family.

Sybil Primrose was educated by governesses and spent her childhood between the family's London residence, Lansdowne House, and various country estates, including Dalmeny House and Mentmore Towers. She was often cared for by servants and supervised by her father's sister, Lady Leconfield, particularly in her early years. Following her birth in June 1880, her father traveled to Germany for three months for health reasons, while her mother accompanied him; during this time, Sybil was left in the care of servants, yet maintained a close relationship with her father.

On 28 March 1903, Lady Sybil married Charles John Cecil Grant (1877–1950) at Christ Church Epsom Common. Charles Grant was a soldier who later became a knighted general. They had one son, Charles Robert Archibald Grant, who married Pamela Wellesley, a granddaughter of Arthur Wellesley, the 4th Duke of Wellington.

In her literary career, Lady Sybil Grant published several short stories in 1912 in the London Magazine, with titles including "The Kisses That Never Were Given," "A Three-Cornered Secret," and "Travesty." In 1913, Mills and Boon published her collection of comic poems titled "Founded on Fiction." That year, she also published "The Chequer-Board," "Samphire," and "The Land of Let's Pretend." In 1914, she contributed to Princess Mary's Gift Book, a collection created to support the war effort during the Great War.

She expressed admiration for Marshal Foch publicly in 1929, describing him with high regard based on her perceptions of his outlook and presence.

Upon her father's death in 1929, she inherited the estate known as The Durdans at Epsom, which became her primary residence. Her inheritance included her father's extensive library, much of which was sold at Sotheby’s in 1933.

Lady Sybil designed various artistic works, including ceramics inspired by animals. She was known for her love of animals and successfully bred a rare strain of dog, the Shetland Toy, and was the first to breed the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in England in 1909, despite earlier imports.

In 1937, she befriended the Roma community visiting Epsom Downs during Derby week. She provided them with land to camp on, helping to ease local tensions. She was also a supporter of the "Lest We Forget" charitable fund, organizing annual fêtes at The Durdans, where her pottery work was often sold.

In later years, Lady Sybil was recognized for her eccentric behavior, often spending time in a caravan or up a tree and communicating with her butler via megaphone. She was widowed in 1950 and died in 1955, surviving her son. She donated a substantial collection of her father’s books, pamphlets, and manuscripts to the National Library of Scotland. Her collection included historical biographies, first editions, maps, slang and cant dictionaries, religious works, and publications related to horseracing and field sports.