Marchioness of Abercorn
(1812-1905)
11 June 1861

Volume 4, page 62, sitting number 4318.

Lady Abercorn, née Louisa Jane Russell, the 2nd daughter of the 6th Duke of Bedford. On 25 October 1832 she married James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn (1st Duke of Abercorn in the Irish peerage). Her husband was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1866 to 1868, and again from 1874 to 1876.

She died on 31 March 1905, aged 92, at Coates Castle at Pulborough in Sussex.

'The Dowager Duchess of Abercorn - the "Grand old lady of the Peerage" - died on Friday morning at Coates Castles, Pulborough. She was in her 93rd year. Not many people live to see their grandchild's grandchild, but that was one of the rare privileges of the Dowager Duchess of Abercorn. All told, the Dowager Duchess of Abercorn had considerably over 200 direct descendants. There was a remarkable gathering of the survivors on the occasion of the Duchess's 91st birthday. 

'The Dowager Duchess of Abercorn, quite apart from her unique distinctions in respect of her descendants, was one of the most interesting personalities of her time. She was a daughter of the sixth Duke of Bedford, and made her debut at a children's dance given by George IV in the Pavilion at Brighton more than eighty years ago. [...] A great friend of Queen Victoria, she was only prevented by domestic circumstances from accepting the post of Mistress of the Robes to her late Majesty. On the two occasions that the Duke of Abercorn was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland his wife made an excellent Vicereine, winning her way to the hearts of the people with the wonderful tact and personal charm which made her beloved by everyone with whom she came in contact' (Henley Advertiser, 8 April 1905).