Frances Parthenope Verney

Frances Parthenope Verney (Naples, 19 April 1819 – Claydon House, Buckinghamshire 12 May 1890) was an English writer and journalist.

Parthenope was born in Naples, Italy and was named after its Greek predecessor, Parthenope. She was the oldest daughter and child of William Nightingale and his wife, Frances Smith. After her parent's three-year tour in Italy, Parthenope and her sister Florence moved to Embley Park, their father's estate in Hampshire, England. During their childhood, they received numerous visits from cousins and distinguished guests. Parthenope and her sister were educated at home by a governess, although their father later taught them Greek, Latin, German, French, Italian, history and philosophy. Despite being less scholarly than her sister, Parthenope was fluent in French and developed a love for literature and art.

On 24 June 1858, Parthenope married her sister's rejected suitor, Harry Verney, 2nd Baronet, an MP for Buckingham, who was also a supporter of liberal causes and the landowner of Claydon House in Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire. Parthenope soon turned Claydon House into a salon for people of talent, and frequently visited her tenants.

Parthenope was an active supporter of her sister's work during the Crimean War. As Lady Verney, she was responsible for extensively remodelling Claydon House.

In later years, the two sisters lived near each other on South Street, London.

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