Maria Kinnaird

Maria Kinnaird
Born1810
St Vincent
Died1891
Fredley, Mickleham, Surrey, England
Resting placeMickleham, Surrey
NationalityBritish
Known forHeiress, socialite
SpouseThomas Drummond
Childrenthree daughters

Maria Kinnaird (1810–1891), born on St. Vincent, was orphaned when La Soufrière erupted in 1812 and was later adopted by the politician Richard Sharp, known as "Conversation Sharp".[1] Sharp was once considered possibly to be the most popular man in London of his time. Through her adoptive father, she inherited not only a considerable fortune but a wide network of influential friends and contacts, particularly among Whig circles. She became a prominent socialite and leading hostess in London during the mid-Victorian period and was described as being an accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman.[2] In 1835, she married Thomas Drummond, who developed the use of Drummond Light in surveying.[3] She would be her husband's mainstay during his final years as Under-Secretary for Ireland (1835–1840).

  1. ^ Knapman, D. – 'Conversation Sharp – The Biography of a London Gentleman, Richard Sharp (1759–1835), in Letters, Prose and Verse'. (Private Publication, 2004)
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference odnb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Limelight – Leeds University. Retrieved 18 July 2008