The Invisible Countess

Born into one of Britain’s great political dynasties and married into another, Mary Elizabeth Pitt was determined to embrace the responsibilities of a woman of her standing, despite the many obstacles in her way.

Mary Elizabeth Pitt, Countess of Chatham, possibly by Edward Miles, c.1789.

‘Yesterday the daughter of Lord Sydney was at Court for the first time since her late marriage with the Earl of Chatham’, the Morning Chronicle reported on 1 August 1783. ‘Her Ladyship was dressed in white satin, richly trimmed with silver fringe. Her head-dress was elegant, and she looked very beautiful.’

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