Celebrating the Lives of Remarkable Women from Historic Houses Member Places

International Women’s Day at Historic Houses

Throughout history, many extraordinary women have lived in our members’ historic houses, castles, and gardens—though their voices have not always been heard. To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we invited those who work in or with the archives of our member places to share their favourite women from their site’s past.

Some of these women were trailblazers in politics, fighting for justice and shaping the world around them.

Blair Castle: Katharine ‘Kitty’ Stewart-Murray, 8th Duchess of Atholl

“Born in 1874, Kitty Stewart-Murray defied expectations, becoming Scotland’s first female MP and a passionate campaigner for human rights. After marrying Lord Tullibardine (‘Bardie’) in 1899, she embraced public life at Blair Castle. Initially opposed to female suffrage, she later changed her stance and was elected as Conservative MP for Kinross & West Perthshire in 1923.

“Kitty championed international causes, speaking out against female genital mutilation and Stalin’s regime. She also opposed Franco’s atrocities in Spain, organizing a fact-finding mission and evacuating 4,000 children. Dubbed the ‘Red Duchess,’ she was driven by humanitarian concerns rather than political ideology.

“Disillusioned by Britain’s foreign policies, she resigned the whip twice and lost her seat in 1938. She remained active in Highland life and refugee advocacy until her death in 1960. Though she and Bardie had no children, Kitty’s legacy as a bold, forward-thinking campaigner endures at Blair Castle and beyond.”

Chosen by Keren Guthrie, Estate Archivist

West Horsley Place: Margaret Etienne Hannah (‘Peggy’) Crewe-Milnes (née Primrose), Marchioness of Crewe 

“During World War I Peggy was chair of the Central Committee on Women’s Employment, which investigated initiatives to help to provide work for women and girls. In 1919 she was one of seven women to become the first female magistrates in England, blazing a trail for women in the law. In 1921, she became President of the Mary Macarthur Holiday Home for Working Women. During the World War II, she chaired a fund supporting the free French in Great Britain.  As a result of this remarkable war work, she was made a Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur.”

Chosen by Clare Clinton, Arts, Heritage and Learning Manager

Beyond politics, some women left a lasting imprint through their work in art, literature, and historical preservation.

Chatsworth House: Lady Louisa Egerton

By permission of The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth.

“Lady Louisa Egerton (1835-1907) was the only daughter of William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire. Although she married into the Egerton family, Louisa spent a great deal of time at Chatsworth throughout her life and indeed, she played a major part in managing and developing the Devonshire Collections. Letters in the archives speak to her efforts to properly care for the family’s collections, from rare books to priceless artworks. Lady Louisa liaises with art historians and heritage experts about how best to safeguard the family’s collections, as well as utilising her artistic talents to design archival storage units, bookcases, fine art frames and furniture fittings. If it weren’t for Lady Louisa’s proactive approach to conservation and archival preservation at a time when these weren’t central priorities, as they are at Chatsworth today, we may not be able to enjoy and study many of the Devonshire Collection’s crowning glories.”

Chosen by Louise Clarke, Assistant Archivist and Librarian

Blair Castle: Lady Evelyn Stewart-Murray

“Born at Blair Castle in 1868, Lady Evelyn Stewart-Murray was the youngest daughter of the 7th Duke and Duchess of Atholl. Raised in a privileged yet disciplined environment, she developed a talent for languages, music, and embroidery. A childhood illness left her physically fragile but deepened her passion for learning, particularly in Gaelic studies, a subject her father strongly encouraged. However, her intense dedication to the language became a source of concern for her family, as her health—both mental and physical—began to deteriorate, eventually requiring a lengthy period of convalescence. 

“Struggling with depression and eating disorders, Evelyn was eventually sent to Switzerland in 1891. She later settled in Belgium, where she immersed herself in embroidery, amassing a world-renowned collection. Despite limited family contact, she transferred her collection to Blair Castle in 1936. 

“After WWII Lady Evelyn returned to Scotland, spending her final days with her brother Hamish. She passed away in 1940, leaving behind a legacy of exquisite embroidery and dedication to cultural preservation. Her stunning British Arms embroidery remains on display at Blair Castle.”

Chosen by Keren Guthrie, Estate Archivist

For some, their legacy lay in expanding knowledge—whether through research or campaigning for wider access to education.

Raby Castle: Lady Anne Monson

“Daughter of Henry Vane, 1st Earl of Darlington, Lady Anne Monson grew up at Raby Castle. During her childhood Raby’s walled gardens were being developed, which could have paved the way for her passion for plants.

“Lady Anne developed an influential name for herself in botanic circles, recognised for her expertise at the time by famed Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Her contemporaries credit Lady Anne for assisting James Lee (a celebrated Scottish gardener) in translating Linnaeus’s Philosophia botanica, the first work to explain the botanical terminology he used to English readers.

“Anne interacted with many other notable botanists during her travels, including during a trip to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. She collected and recorded specimens, sending samples back to Kew Gardens in London. One specimen Linnaeus went on to name after Anne; the Monsonia speciosa.”

You can learn more about Lady Anne Monson in the new garden exhibition opening in March, and the popular Women of Raby events held to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Chosen by Lauren Foster, Interpretation and Engagement Officer

Gwrych Castle: Winifred Cochrane, Countess of Dundonald

“Winifred, the heir of Gwrych Castle, was the only child of Robert Bamford-Hesketh. She married the 12th Earl of Dundonald, known for his role in the Boer War, but their marriage was strained, leading them to live separately. A passionate advocate for women’s rights and Welsh culture, Winifred was a Welsh speaker and became a bard at the National Eisteddfod in 1910, adopting the name ‘Rhiannon.’ She founded a harp competition and was recognised for her contributions to art and literature in Wales. During World War One, she established two military hospitals and received the honour of Dame of Grace for her humanitarian efforts. A pioneer in archaeology, Winifred supported excavations on her land and was politically active with the Primrose League. She managed her estates independently, contributed significantly to the disestablishment of the Church in Wales, and bequeathed the Gwrych estate to the Royal Family and the Welsh Church upon her death in 1924 at the age of 64.”

Chosen by Dr Mark Baker, Founder of the Gwrych Castle Trust

Buccleuch Castle: Charlotte Anne, 5th Duchess of Buccleuch

“The 5th Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, Charlotte Anne (1811-1895), was arguably one of Victorian Britain’s grandest ladies. She served as Mistress of the Robes from 1841-1846 and remained a lifelong friend to Queen Victoria influencing her to wear Paisley pattern when the town was in distress. Her impact on the Buccleuch estates was profound transforming the buildings and gardens into some of the grandest in the country. Her work went beyond the material aspect on the estate but championed the working classes through lifelong charitable activities of education and housing improvements. However, her impact went beyond the estates. Through her own experiences of converting to Roman Catholicism in 1856, she encouraged tolerance and acceptance across the country even in the face of initial opposition from her husband, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.”

Chosen by Dr Craig Thomas, Assistant Archivist

Some women shaped culture through their influence on fashion, society and literature.

Knebworth House: Edith Villiers

“Identical twin Edith Villiers married British diplomat Robert Lytton in 1864. She accompanied Robert around Europe, giving birth to seven children, and suffering the loss of two in childhood. She spent four years as Vicereine of India, during which she was admired for her fashionable appearance and socialising with Indian women. Following seven happy years making a home at Knebworth House, Robert became British Ambassador to France, and they moved to Paris until Robert’s sudden death in 1891. Edith, now Dowager Countess of Lytton, discovered Robert’s money had been mismanaged and she had to adapt to living in much reduced circumstances. She became Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria, met ‘the Munshi’ Abdul Karim and accompanied the Queen’s body from Osborne to Windsor for her funeral. Edith continued as Lady in Waiting to Queen Alexandra until retiring to Knebworth village where she lived until her death in 1936 aged 95.”

Chosen by Jill Campbell, Archivist

Inveraray Castle: Lady Charlotte Campbell

“Lady Charlotte Campbell (1775-1861) was one of the most celebrated women of her generation. Youngest child of John, 5th duke of Argyll and his beautiful duchess Elizabeth Gunning, Lady Charlotte accompanied her mother to Naples in 1789 where she became enamoured with ancient Greek and Roman culture.

“On her return to Britain, Charlotte gained fame by introducing the high-waisted, white muslin dress to London society – a style which used Indian muslin to replicate the diaphanous gowns seen on classical statuary. Such was her impact, women’s magazine La Belle Assemblée declared in 1809, ‘To a great share of beauty she united the most brilliant accomplishments, and a taste in dress which excited the admiration and envy of the female world.’

“In addition to being a fashion icon, Charlotte was known for her literary talent, publishing a volume of poems and several novels under her married name of Lady Bury.”

Chosen by Donald MacDougall, Archive Assistant 

Some of these women challenged norms and conventions, and forged their own paths.

Paxton House: Lady Agnes (Nancy) Milne, née Stephens

“Nancy was born at Diamond plantation, Grenada, in 1778, where her father was manager. Their neighbours, Ninian and Penelope Home, owned Waltham plantation and Paxton House.  Aged five, Nancy was sent to Scotland to board with Ninian’s brother, George, and aunt, Jeanie, who effectively adopted her. 

“Nancy retained a keen interest in Waltham, its people and management, and encouraged the import of West Indian foods to Paxton including yams and sent gifts to the enslaved people. She inherited enslaved people in Grenada, including her former nanny, Kate Stephens, whom she gave her freedom in 1802. Both Kate and Nancy are represented in replica costumes at Paxton House.”

Chosen by Dr Fiona Salvesen Murrell

Fairfax House: Ann Fairfax

“Our favourite woman has to be the Hon. Ann Fairfax (1726-1793), who built and owned Fairfax House. Ann was the only surviving daughter of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax, her eight brothers and sisters having passed away in childhood. This made Ann an accidental heiress and easy prey for manipulative and grasping relatives. She was also subjected to considerable criticism for her Catholic faith and ‘failure’ to marry. Indeed, contemporaries were often savage in their assessments of Ann, with her variously being described as ‘weak’, ‘melancholic’ and prone to ‘wild imaginings’. History has been equally unkind to Ann, with modern writers describing her as ‘feeble’, ‘depressive’, ‘reclusive’ and ‘childless’, and writing her off on account of her ‘childlike handwriting’. 

“Whilst Ann undoubtedly struggled at times with her mental health, no doubt resulting from the considerable trauma she must have experienced losing so many of her siblings, new research has proven she was an intelligent, sociable and proactive woman. Ann was the driving force behind the creation of Fairfax House and enjoyed a rich and varied social life. She knew her own mind enough to twice reject marriage proposals and, following her father’s death, was confident in the management of her estates. Ann was also determined enough to undertake an 8-year legal battle, ultimately resulting in an Act of Parliament, to ensure her inheritance remained under her control.”

Chosen by Dr Sarah Burnage, Curator