Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
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Her Grace The Duchess of Devonshire GCVO JP |
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Portrait of Lady Evelyn Cavendish, John Singer Sargent (1902)
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| Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary |
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In office 1910–1916 |
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| Monarch | Mary of Teck |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | The Duchess of Sutherland |
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In office 1921–1953 |
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| Monarch | Mary of Teck |
| Preceded by | The Duchess of Sutherland |
| Succeeded by | None |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 August 1870 |
| Died | 2 April 1960 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire |
| Religion | Anglican |
Evelyn Emily Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire GCVO JP (née Petty-FitzMaurice; 27 August 1870 – 2 April 1960) was the wife of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire. She was born the elder daughter of the politician Henry Petty-FitzMaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne and grew up amidst public life. Evelyn's marriage to Cavendish, the heir of the 8th Duke of Devonshire, led to her becoming Duchess of Devonshire in 1908. With her position, she oversaw the reorganisation of the Devonshire estates and presided over four English houses and one Irish castle.
Evelyn held the position of Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary from 1910 until 1916, when she accompanied her husband upon his appointment as Governor General of Canada. The Duchess held the position Viceregal Consort until the Duke's term ended in 1921. Upon returning to England, the Duchess again was appointed Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary, holding the position until the latter's death in 1953. The Dowager Duchess, widowed since 1938, spent her final years living at Hardwick Hall, which was made over to HM Treasury in 1956, in part payment of death duties.
On 27 August 1870, Lady Evelyn was born the elder daughter of the politician and statesman Henry Petty-FitzMaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne and his wife, Lady Maud Hamilton, daughter of the 1st Duke of Abercorn. Lady Evelyn's father served as Governor General of Canada from 1883 to 1888, as Viceroy of India from 1888 to 1894, and as Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords from 1903 to 1916. Lady Evelyn was consequently raised to public life.
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