Mary Caroline Grey

Mary Caroline Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Countess of Minto (née Grey), was born on 13 November 1858. She was the youngest child of General Charles Grey, a courtier to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, and his wife, Caroline (née Farquhar). Her familial background included being a granddaughter of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She was raised in the vicinity of the Court of St James’s, primarily at Windsor and St James’s Palace in London. Her sibling was Albert Grey, who became the 4th Earl Grey.

On 28 July 1883, she married Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound. Her husband inherited the title of Earl of Minto in 1891, making her the Countess of Minto. The couple had five children: Eileen, Ruby, Violet, Victor, and Gavin.

In 1898, the Minto family moved to Canada when Gilbert was appointed governor-general. During their six-year tenure, Lady Minto engaged in various charitable and healthcare initiatives. Notably, she established a Queen Victoria memorial fund aimed at raising resources for rural cottage hospitals affiliated with the Victorian Order of Nurses. Multiple healthcare facilities were founded in her name, including the Lady Minto Hospital in Ontario and a Lady Minto wing at the Ottawa Maternity Hospital. In 1902, she and her husband appeared on the Canadian four-dollar banknote.

From 1905 to 1910, the Minto family served as viceroy and vicereine of India. During this period, Lady Minto participated in efforts to improve women’s healthcare through the Countess of Dufferin Fund and played a significant role in securing government support for this initiative. She launched the Lady Minto Indian Nursing Association, which expanded upon the work of Mary Curzon. In 1907, she organized a two-week fête to raise funds for the association and issued a set of three postage stamps featuring herself and her husband.

Upon returning to England, Lady Minto was appointed as lady of the bedchamber to Queen Mary. She continued her involvement in healthcare-related activities, notably serving on the board of the Territorial Army Nursing Service. In 1934, she authored a book titled *India, Minto and Morley*, which was based on her journals and her husband’s correspondence. She also contributed to Margot Asquith’s *Myself When Young* and to John Buchan's biography of her husband.

Lady Minto was predeceased by her husband and two of her children, including Gavin, who died in the First World War. She died at her residence in Hambleton, Godalming, on 14 July 1940. Aside from her public duties, she was a hockey enthusiast and a talented figure skater. In 1903/4, she co-founded the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa with her husband.