The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 16 February 1830
“London, Feby. 16th, 1830
“. . . In the jaw between Mrs. Taylor and me this morning she observed what a low, dirty
fellow Lord Cleveland was not to offer me
the seat after all that had passed; ‘Not that you would have accepted
it,’ said she, ‘I feel sure of that; but as a gentleman
he was bound to offer it to you.’ The
Marchioness, it seems, has been here, and expressed the united
rage
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| 1830-31.] | LORD DOURO’S ENGAGEMENT. | 209 |
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of the
Naffy* and herself at Brougham’s conduct. . . . Mrs.
Taylor says that, being determined to bring my name in, she
observed I was coming to town to see her, and she was sure I should do her more
good than all the doctors; but the Pop was
mum, and would not touch it; and, as Mrs. Taylor justly
observes, they are two arrogant rogues, and not worth thinking about.”
Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the
Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's
Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).
Barbara Palmer, duchess of Cleveland [née Villiers] (1640-1709)
The daughter of William Villiers, second viscount Grandison (1614-1643) and mistress of
Charles II, who granted her the title in 1670. Her sexual adventures were detailed in
Delarivier Manley's
The New Atalantis (1709).
George John Spencer, second earl Spencer (1758-1834)
Educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a Whig MP aligned with Edmund
Burke, first lord of the Admiralty (1794-1801) and home secretary (1806-07). He was a book
collector and patron of the poets John Clare and Herbert Knowles.
George Spencer (1799-1864)
The youngest son of George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer; educated at Eton and
Trinity College, Cambridge; he entered the Catholic Church in 1830 and became a priest in
1832.
Frances Ann Taylor [née Vane] (d. 1835)
Whig hostess, the daughter of Sir Henry Vane, first baronet (1729–1794); in 1789 she
married the politician Michael Angelo Taylor.
William Harry Vane, first duke of Cleveland (1766-1842)
The son of Henry Vane, second earl of Darlington (d. 1792); educated at Christ Church,
Oxford, he was a lifelong friend of Henry Brougham and a notable sportsman.
