Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley
(1714-1785)
daughter of Edward Cavendish Harley,
2nd Earl of Oxford, 2nd Earl of Mortimer
and Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles
Born 11 February 1714 London
Died 7 July 1785 Bulstrode Park
Married 11 July 1734 London
William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland
Born 1 March 1709
Died 1 May 1762
Buried Westminster Abbey
The only child and heir of her father, the 2nd Earl of Oxford, she inherited
many valuable properties. Her marriage to the 2nd Duke of Portland was
a happy one and she was described as "a lovely gifted woman, with an active
mind, varied interests, and a great deal of energy."
Her special "gift" was "turning", which she did in wood, jet, ivory
and amber. Her passion for collecting came from her Harley ancestors and
her most famous acquisition was the Barberini or Portland Vase.
She was also a wit and friend to such notables as Garrick, Rousseau
and Edward Young.
Source: Leo van de Pas
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