Jane Cathcart (born Jane Hamilton; 19 August 1726 – 13 November 1771) was the wife of Lord Cathcart the British ambassador to Russia. She was a personal friend of Catherine the Great and a patron to Josiah Wedgewood.
Jean Cathcart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1726 London, England |
| Died | 1771 Saint Petersburg |
| Spouse(s) | Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart |
| Children | 9 |
| Parents | Lord Archibald Hamilton Lady Jane Hamilton |
Life edit
Cathcart was born in 1726 in London. Her mother was Lady Jane Hamilton who was said to be the mistress of Frederick, Prince of Wales and she was the second wife of Lord Archibald Hamilton governor of the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich and youngest son of Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton.[1]
On 24 July 1753, at her father's Royal Naval Hospital, she married Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart.[1]
Her husband was offered the role of Ambassador to Russia despite his lack of diplomatic experience as it was not an attractive appointment. He is thought to have accepted it, because he needed the money. He was there for some years but he made significant mistakes. However Jean fared better and she became a personal friend of Catherine the Great. She told the Empress about the work of her brother, Sir William Hamilton, who was an antiquarian. Cathcart was a patron to Josiah Wedgewood and her influence helped to create the sale of the Wedgewood Frog Service.[1] The service was created in 1773-4 and is considered to be one of Josiah Wedgewood's greatest achievements. The pottery was stamped with a frog and the pieces contained views of notable British buildings, gardens and antiquities. [2] The majority of the service is now in the Hermitage Museum.
Personal life and children edit
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On 24 July 1753 she married Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart.[3]
They had nine children and six survived:
- Jane (20 May 1754 – 5 December 1790),[4] first wife of the John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl
- William Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart (17 September 1755 – 16 June 1843)
- Mary (1 March 1757 – 26 June 1792), a celebrated beauty, who married Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch[5]
- Louisa (1 June 1758 – 11 July 1843), married first, David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield (1727–1796); married second, The Hon. Robert Fulke Greville
- Charles (28 December 1759 – 10 June 1788)
- John (23 April 1761 – 00 January 1762)
- Archibald (25 July 1764 – 10 October 1841)
- [a son] (7 June 1768; stillborn)
- Catherine Charlotte (8 July 1770 – 20 October 1794), died unmarried
References edit
- ^ a b c "Cathcart, Charles Schaw, ninth Lord Cathcart (1721–1776), army officer and diplomat". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4885. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Retrieved 2022-11-27. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Cacklegoose Press - The Green Frog Service". www.cacklegoose.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
- ^ Matthew, H. C. G.; Harrison, B., eds. (2004-09-23). "The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. ref:odnb/4885. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4885. Retrieved 2022-11-27. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ The Register of Births & Baptisms in the Parish of St James within the Liberty of Westminster Vol. IV. 1741–1760. 16 June 1754.
- ^ "The Honourable Mrs Graham (1757–1792)". National Galleries Scotland.
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