Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess Of Devonshire

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (née Spencer), was born on June 7, 1757, at Althorp, the Spencer family estate. She was the first child of John Spencer, who later became Earl Spencer, and his wife, Georgiana (née Poyntz), who subsequently held the title Countess Spencer. Her family was part of the English aristocracy, with her paternal lineage descending from a family connected to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The Spencers resided at Spencer House in St. James's, London.

Georgiana had two younger siblings: Henrietta ("Harriet") and George. Her maternal lineage included Lady Caroline Lamb, a noted writer and lover of Lord Byron. Her parents' marriage was characterized by affection and modern-leaning parenting styles influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Following her father's assumption of the title Viscount Spencer in 1761, she became The Honourable Georgiana Spencer, and after his succession to Earl Spencer in 1765, she was styled Lady Georgiana Spencer. The family experienced significant tragedy with the death of two of her siblings shortly after their births, which led to an era marked by frequent travel and gambling by her parents, especially following their personal losses.

On her seventeenth birthday, June 7, 1774, Georgiana married William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, at Wimbledon Parish Church. Her parents were reluctant to part with her and maintained a close correspondence with her afterward. Her marriage to the Duke was motivated largely by social and political considerations, as the Duke was an influential figure. The marriage was described as lacking early emotional intimacy; the Duke was known to be reserved and taciturn, with limited emotional expression. Georgiana initially believed she could find emotional fulfillment and companionship in the union, but she soon realized her role was primarily to produce an heir and fulfill her social duties.

The couple had few interests in common, and societal conventions discouraged close association between spouses. The Duke resumed a bachelor lifestyle, often spending nights at Brooks’s club, which allowed Georgiana to indulge her gambling addiction. She became a prominent figure in social circles, known for her style and wit.

Georgiana experienced her first miscarriage in April 1776, which was partly attributed to her lifestyle. She had kept her debts secret from the Duke, prompting her to confide in her parents, who settled her financial obligations. Their response emphasized the importance of honesty within the marriage.

Before her marriage, the Duke had fathered an illegitimate daughter, Charlotte Williams, through an affair with Charlotte Spencer, a milliner unrelated to the Spencer family. Following the death of Charlotte’s mother, the Duke took responsibility for her, and Georgiana was tasked with raising her.

In 1777, Georgiana formed a close friendship with Mrs. Mary Graham, whom she met for fertility treatment. Their correspondence was passionate. In 1782, she met Lady Elizabeth Foster in Bath, who was then destitute following her separation from her husband and children. Georgiana invited Lady Elizabeth to live with her and her husband, leading to a household arrangement that included Lady Elizabeth’s presence and her relationship with the Duke. The Duke pursued a sexual relationship with Lady Elizabeth, and the household reportedly became a ménage à trois, a situation considered unconventional for the era.

Georgiana’s personal life was marked by her social engagement, beauty, and complex personal relationships, and her lasting influence in aristocratic society during her lifetime. She passed away on March 30, 1806.