Esther Acklom

Esther Acklom (1788 – 11 June 1818), also known as Esther Spencer, Viscountess Althorp, was a British heiress and socialite most well known for her social flirtations. Born the only child of Richard Acklom of Wiseton Hall, Nottinghamshire, and his wife Elizabeth, Acklom found great success and popularity in London social circles because of her wealth and good humour. She quickly gained the reputation of a flirt, turning down a large amount of marriage proposals, including those of James, Lord Lindsay, naval officer Edmund Knox, and Henry, Lord Glentworth, the heir of Lord Limerick.

In 1812 Acklom became engaged to the army officer Christopher Tilson, but she broke this off just before the wedding, and she broke off a subsequent engagement to another man after she inherited her father's wealth upon his death in December. She went on to meet John, Viscount Althorp towards the start of 1814, and despite his initial unwillingness she persuaded him to marry her, probably so that he could remove his debts with her dowry and she could receive a title. Notwithstanding this inauspicious start, the marriage was a happy one. Acklom died giving birth to a stillborn child in June 1818, and Althorp mourned her for the rest of his life.