Basic Info:
Georgiana Spencer Cavendish
Duchess of Devonshire
Born- June 7, 1757
Died- March 30, 1806
Husband- William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
Children- Eliza Courtney, Georgiana Howard Countess of Carlisle, William Cavendish 6th Duke of Devonshire, and Harriet Leveson-Gower Countess Granville
Socialite, fashion icon, political organizer, activist, and author

Childhood and Early Years:
She was born to John and Georgiana Spencer on June 7, 1757, in their home of Althorp. She was very close with her mother, and her nickname was "Dear Little Gee."

Later on, she had two younger siblings named Henrietta and George.

Her parents' marriage was a happy one. There's no reports of any extramarital affairs. Their family was wealthy and content.

Marriage:
When she was 17, Georgiana was married to William Cavendish. William was the 5th Duke of Devonshire, and was 25 years old.

They were married at Wimbledon Parish Church. The ceremony was small and only family was invited. She was very close with her parents, so they were sad to see their daughter go, but a marriage to the wealthiest man in the area at the time would be good for her, they thought.

The Duke of Devonshire was nothing like Georgiana's father. He was quiet, reserved, and unemotional. He preferred playing cards or hunting with his dogs over spending time with his wife. He and Georgiana had very little in common.

William Cavendish had been known for having many romantic affairs, which continued into his marriage with Georgiana. Before he married Georgiana, he had a child with another woman. That woman died and little Charlotte Williams was sent to live at Devonshire. Georgiana raised the child as her own. She did not like it at first, but the child grew on her over time.

In 1782, Georgiana and her husband went on vacation, where they met the Lady Elizabeth Foster (AKA Bess) while in the city of Bath. Bess was married and had three sons, but her husband had forced her out and was preventing her from contacting her children.

Georgiana and Bess grew very close. Georgiana even invited Bess to live with them. (A horrible decision, really.)

Shortly after, Bess began a sexual relationship with the Duke. Despite Georgiana's outrage and demands for Bess to leave, the Duke arranged for Bess to live with them permanently.

Despite the fact that affairs were common, it was uncommon and unacceptable for a mistress to openly live with a married couple. Rumors about the scandal quickly spread.

The duchess Georgiana was forced to accept her fate. Her husband and his mistress would be living with her. She wrote with her mother often, pleading for advice, but there was nothing anyone could do.

Bess also had sexual relations with several other men while living with the Duke and duchess. However, it is believed hat she did greatly care for Georgiana. A locket and bracelet were found with strands of Georgiana's hair in them after Bess died.

Bess had 2 children with William Cavendish during their affair.

Georgiana did have children during her unhappy marriage with William. Her first child, Georgiana Dorothy Cavendish, on July 12, 1783. Her nickname was "Little G."

Their second child was born August 29, 1785. Another daughter named, Harriet Elizabeth Cavendish, also called "Harryo."

Georgiana finally gave birth to a son on 21 of May in 1790. William George Spencer Cavendish was the male heir that he Duke of Devonshire had been waiting for.

Finally having given her husband the son he so badly wanted, Georgiana could be left alone.

It is unclear as to when exactly Georgiana began her affair with Charles Grey, but it is known that she was pregnant with his child in 1791.

To avoid public shame, she was sent off to France to give birth to the child. Eliza Courtney was born on February 20, 1792.

Georgiana was forced to give the child to Grey's family. She was given opportunities to see the child a few times throughout her life. She loved her daughter dearly and showered her with affection. Eliza grew up and married, then gave birth to a daughter, which she named Georgiana.

Return to England After Exile:
In order for her to return to England to see her children, she was forced to renounce her love for Charles Grey: her husband left her no choice. She could be with Charles and never see her children again, or she could deny she loved Charles and return home.

She couldn't live without seeing her children again, so she left Charles and went back to England.

She became emotional and went into a period of depression. She drank, gambled, and had a couple more affairs.

Fame and Politics:
Georgiana was known for being greatly beautiful and had a huge impact on fashion in the time. She was the "it-girl." Everyone wanted to be like her. She was an extravagant and fashionable socialite.

Not only did she contribute to the fashion of the time, but also to politics, science, and literature. She made appearances with political figures like the Prince of Wales, Marie Antoinette, and Charles Grey (who later became the British prime minister).

She was a strong supporter of the Whig party, and she was a heavily influential political activist. Her involvement in politics began in 1778, and only grew from there. She hosted dinners where political figures would gather and discuss with her everything going on in the world.

There were many people that loved her, and many more that hated her. Political cartoons were made that mocked her, and people claimed that she asked for votes and in exchange, gave sexual favors.

On Election Day, Georgiana walked through the streets with the crowds. Despite her efforts, the Whig party died out in the decades after her death.

She wrote often during her life. Her novel, The Sylph, was published in 1778. She also wrote many poems, some of which are published.

She also took an interest in science and had a collection of crystals in Chatsworth.

Final Years:
When the Duke began suffering from gout, Georgiana helped to nurse him. She came out of her depression a bit, gambling less and writing more.

She ended up meeting the wife of Charles Grey, her former lover, and became friends with the woman.

Her eye became infected with some sort of illness and she had to undergo a surgery in 1796, leaving her face scarred. When her health returned, she rendered English society. Although her health began to decline again, and she was still unhappy.

She spent her forties, devoting her time to her daughter, Georgiana, until she found a good husband.

Her addiction to gambling picked up again during her forties, and her health continued to rapidly decline. She suffered from a liver abscess.

Georgiana Cavendish passed away on March 30, 1806. She was 48 years old. Bess, William Cavendish, Georgiana (now Lady Morpeth), her mother, and her sister were all present at the time of her death. All of them were reportedly devastated. The Duke was said to have showed his wife emotion for the first time that day.

Shortly after her death, Bess and William married. Georgiana's children were angered by this. When William died, his son took over, and Bess fought to claim what estates and titles she could. The new Duke of Devonshire tried to prevent her from doing this, despite her furious attempts to gain control.

Despite all this fighting, the children and Georgiana and Bess stayed fairly close, since they were half siblings and grew up together.

Legacy:
Georgiana Cavendish is remembered for her impact in fashion, literature, science, and politics. For a female to be so greatly involved in politics was rare for the time, and she definitely had a huge impact even though the party she fought so hard for wasn't successful for long.

She was involved in scandals and did things that were considered improper for her time, but Georgiana Cavendish did what she wanted and did her best to take control of her own life.

Cool Facts:
• Georgiana's wedding to William Cavendish happened on her 17th birthday
• most women had wet nurses that would feed their children for them, however Georgiana preferred to feed her children herself
• she believed she would die while giving birth to Charles Grey's child, so she wrote a letter that was to be given to her son William when he was old enough, telling him how much she loved him. She wrote letters to her daughters often as well
• she apparently gave Bess and William her blessing to marry upon her death

Quotes:
"Love is industrious in tormenting itself."

Movies and More:
The Duchess (starring Keira Knightley) (2008)