Catherine Hyde, Duchess of Queensberry

Catherine Hyde, afterwards Duchess of Queensbury (1701 – 17 June 1777) was a noblewoman. She was the wife of Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry. She and her husband were patrons of John Gay.^[1] She was known for her beauty and gained a notorious reputation for her eccentric habits and fashion.^[2]

Biography

Catherine Hyde was the second daughter of Henry, earl of Clarendon and Rochester. She married Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry on 10 March 1720. The couple had two sons. The couple lived at Douglas House, Petersham.

She was one of the most celebrated beauties of her time, and by virtue of her wit and kindness she became a friend of many contemporary men of letters, such as Gay. Among her friends were Congreve, Thomson, Pope, Prior, and Whitehead, many of whom alluded to her in their verses.^[3] She is also said to have had influence over Pitt.^[4]

She was a central figure in London high society and known for her balls and masquerades, though her eccentricity also made her notorious, such as for example by never serving meat at supper and by ordering half of her guests to leave because she disliked their company.^[5]

She was notoriously known in her old age for dressing in the same fashion as in her youth, refusing 'to cut and curl my hair like a sheep's head, or wear one of their trolloping sacks'.^[6]

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Hyde, Catherine". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.