Duchess of Devonshire Biography

Deathdate: 30 March 1806

Georgiana Cavendish, born Lady Georgiana Spencer, became the Duchess of Devonshire when she married the 5th Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish in 1774. Lady Georgiana was born to John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, and Georgiana Poyntz, on 7 June, 1757. A celebrated beauty and socialite, the Duchess of Devonshire, was also an active political campaigner despite the fact that she was a woman in world ruled by men.

William and Georgiana Cavendish had three children, a son and two daughters. Their son, William George Spencer Cavendish, later became the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The Duchess had another daughter, Eliza Courtney, as a result of her affair with a politican, Charles Grey, 2nd Early Grey, who later became prime minister of England.