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Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson) (1718-1800), Writer and leader of society

Sitter in 11 portraits
Elizabeth Montagu was a Shakespeare critic and salon hostess, patron of the arts, literary critic, and writer. She was christened 'Queen of the Blues' by the writer Samuel Johnson, in recognition of her role in bringing together a constellation of contemporary intellectuals. Her parents were both from wealthy families with strong ties to the British peerage and intellectual life. She married Edward Montagu, a wealthy man with extensive holdings in coal, to become one of the richest women of her era. Montagu devoted this wealth to fostering and promoting English and Scottish aspiring authors, and to the relief of the poor.

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4905

Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo

by Richard Samuel
oil on canvas, exhibited 1779
NPG 4905

D4458

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson); Anna Letitia Barbauld (née Aikin)

after Thomas Holloway
line engraving, published 1776
NPG D4458

D13746

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by and published by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 10 April 1776 (1775)
NPG D13746

D5281

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Wilson Lowry
line engraving, published 1787
NPG D5281

D5282

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Wilson Lowry
line engraving, published 1787
NPG D5282

D5283

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Wilson Lowry
line engraving, published 1787
NPG D5283

D5284

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Thomas Cheesman, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 26 May 1809 (1775)
NPG D5284

D13889

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Thomas Cheesman, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 26 May 1809 (1775)
NPG D13889

D15243

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Robert Bowyer Parkes, published by Henry Graves, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1867 (1775)
NPG D15243

D15311

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Charles Townley, published by Jean Marc Pascal, after Frances Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 1 May 1784
NPG D15311

D19989

Elizabeth Montagu (née Robinson)

by Thomas Cheesman, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 26 May 1809 (1775)
NPG D19989

Category
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Groups
Bluestocking circle
Writers and critics
Place
Yorkshire