Georgina Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury


The Marchioness of Salisbury

Photograph, c. 1862
BornGeorgina Charlotte Alderson
1827 (1827)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Died20 November 1899(1899-11-20) (aged 71–72)
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, England
BuriedSt Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield
Spouse(s)
Issue
FatherSir Edward Alderson
MotherGeorgina Catherine Drewe

Georgina Charlotte Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury, VA, CI (née Alderson; 1827 – 20 November 1899) was the wife of British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury. The eldest daughter of a judge, her lack of wealth and social connections earned the disapproval of the 2nd Marquess of Salisbury; despite this, Alderson married his son Robert in 1857.

Though the marriage was happy and grew to include eight children, Robert and Georgina's first years together were pinched financially. To supplement their income, Lady Georgina aided her husband as he contributed political articles to various newspapers. Their circumstances improved when Lord Robert became his father's heir in 1865, and in 1868 he inherited the Salisbury title. She hosted parties and receptions at Hatfield House and in London that aided his political career in the Conservative Party.