Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
(1623?-1674), Writer and second wife of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-TyneSitter in 20 portraits
The Duchess of Newcastle was a prominent aristocrat with a keen interest in science. She wrote critiques of Descartes, Hobbes and Hooke and an early foray into science fiction, The Description of a New World, called the Blazing-World (1668). Her proposed visit to the Royal Society in 1667 caused much debate among Fellows as to whether a woman's presence would damage the Society's reputation. Her elevated social status won the day and she became the first woman to attend a Society demonstration. Pepys records that she was 'all admiration' for Boyle's air-pump.
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and his family
by Peter van Lisebetten (Lysebetten, Liesebetten), after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D28775
by Peter van Lisebetten (Lysebetten, Liesebetten), after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D28776
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by Pieter Louis van Schuppen, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, circa 1655-1658
NPG D11111
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and his family in Antwerp
by Peeter Clouwet, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, published 1656
NPG D28777
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by Pieter Louis van Schuppen, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D30185
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by Pieter Louis van Schuppen, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D30186
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
published by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 10 August 1799
NPG D20175
by James Mitan, after Peeter Clouwet
line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D28779
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
after Abraham Diepenbeeck, published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 1800
NPG D30184
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
after Abraham Diepenbeeck, published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 1800
NPG D30189
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D30192
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
after Abraham Diepenbeeck, published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 1800
NPG D30193
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, published 1800
NPG D16267
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, published 1800
NPG D16268
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
published by John Scott, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple engraving, published 20 May 1806
NPG D30187
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by E. Bocquet, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple engraving, published 1808
NPG D30191
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by Edward Scriven, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple engraving, published 1810
NPG D30190
by Charles Aubry, printed and published by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte
lithograph, 1833
NPG D38716
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by William Greatbach, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple and line engraving, published 1846
NPG D5345
Margaret Cavendish (née Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne
by William Greatbach, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
stipple and line engraving, published 1846
NPG D5346
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Laurie Pettitt
22 March 2017, 14:04
Margaret was Lady in Waiting to Henrietta Maria and met Sir William Cavendish when he came to pay his respects to Queen Henrietta Maria. She then shared Cavendish's exile which proved to be a rocky road. Their time consisted of finding people who would lend them money (Cavendish's fortune was spent helping Charles I defend his crown.)
They were so skint at one point that Margaret had to ask her servant if she would sell the dolls that she had given the servant to buy Dinner. Cavendish just didn't know how to be 'poor'. His life still revolved around great entertainment and horses.
Margaret gained the name 'Mad Meg' because she eschewed society and found the Ladie's conversation boring. She was religious but did not spend hours in prayer. Her reason was that God was far too busy to be constantly prayed at.
This is a woman who deserves to be read about and they should make a film about the Exile. Mr Micawber, shift over, here comes Cavendish!