Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
(1808-1877), Novelist and poet; Law reform campaignerEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 11 portraits
In 1827 Caroline married George Norton. She established herself as a society hostess, becoming friends with such figures as Benjamin Disraeli and the future King Leopold I. She also began writing; her first novel, The Sorrows of Rosalie (1829), was well received. Her marriage broke down in 1835. Her husband removed her children from her and accused her publicly of having an affair with Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister, almost bringing down the government. Caroline continued to write as a means of generating an income; her best work was considered to be Lost and Saved (1863). She married Sir William Stirling-Maxwell in 1877, four months before her death.
General Phipps, Mrs Norton and 2nd Baron Alvanley at the theatre
by Sir Edwin Landseer
pen and wash, circa 1834-1835
NPG 4918
Maria-Louisa Phipps (née Campbell), Samuel Rogers, Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
by Frank Stone
oil on canvas, circa 1845
NPG 1916
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by Francis John Williamson
plaster cast of bust, 1873
On display in Room 21 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 729
acrylic on paper collaged on panels, 2021-2022
On display in Room 33 on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7145
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Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x26597
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by John & Charles Watkins
albumen print, 1863
NPG Ax21897
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by John & Charles Watkins, published by Mason & Co (Robert Hindry Mason)
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x197139
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
after Daniel Maclise
pen and ink, (published 1831)
NPG D34541
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by Daniel Maclise, published by James Fraser
lithograph, published 1831
NPG D10936
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by William Overend Geller, published by Ackermann & Co, after John Hayter
mezzotint, published 1 February 1835
NPG D39324
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (née Sheridan, later Lady Stirling-Maxwell)
by William Overend Geller, published by Ackermann & Co, after John Hayter
mezzotint, published 1 February 1835
NPG D42147
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