Anne van Keppel, Countess of Albemarle


Anne van Keppel born Lady Anne Lennox, was a British court official and noble, the daughter of the 1st Duke of Richmond and Anne Brudenell. Her father Charles was an illegitimate child of King Charles II, thus making her the granddaughter of the Merry Monarch.

Marriage and children

On 21 February 1722, she married the 2nd Earl of Albemarle at Caversham, Oxfordshire, whereupon she became Countess of Albemarle. She was mother to six children:
From 1725 to 1737, she was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Caroline. Anne died in 1789 at Admiralty House aged 86.

Philanthropy

The Countess was 'one of 21 ladies of quality and distinction' who signed a petition in 1735 calling for the establishment of the Foundling Hospital in London, UK. The petition was presented to King George II by philanthropist Thomas Coram and although it was initially rejected, it was instrumental in gaining further support for the children's home which was granted a Royal Charter in 1739.

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