Beatrix Frances Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans, Marchioness of Waterford, GBE, DGStJ (25 March 1877 – 5 August 1953), born Lady Beatrix Frances Fitzmaurice, was a member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, both by birth and through her two marriages.

Life

Beatrix was a daughter of the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne and his wife Maud. She was named after her maternal aunt, Beatrix Frances Lambton, Countess of Durham (born Lady Beatrix Frances Hamilton), Lady Lansdowne's favourite sister. On 16 October 1897, she married

Henry Beresford, 6th Marquess of Waterford Henry de la Poer Beresford, 6th Marquess of Waterford, (28 April 1875 – 1 December 1911), styled Earl of Tyrone until 1895, was an Peerage of Ireland, Irish peer and soldier. Biography Lord Tyrone was educated at Eton College, Eton and bec ...

(and would be styled as Marchioness of Waterford). Their wedding was a high society affair, noted in contemporary magazines. The couple had six children: * Lady Blanche Maud Beresford (1898–1940), who married Richard Girouard and had children * Lady Katharine Nora (1899–1991), who married her first cousin, Sir David Dawnay, and had children * John Charles de La Poer Beresford, 7th Marquess of Waterford (1901–1934) * Lady Beatrix Patricia (1902–1970), who married Lynden Miller and had children * Lord William Beresford (1905–1973), who married Rachel Page and had children * Lord Hugh Beresford (1908–1941), who died unmarried while on active service with the Royal Navy during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

The Marquess died in 1911, and on 19 August 1918, Beatrix remarried, her second husband being

Osborne Beauclerk, 12th Duke of St Albans Osborne de Vere Beauclerk, 12th Duke of St Albans (16 October 1874 – 2 March 1964) was a British peer and Army officer. He was styled ''Lord Osborne Beauclerk'' from 1874 to 1934. Early life Lord Osborne Beauclerk was the son of William ...

, familiarly known as "Obby", and they set up home at the family's property at

Newtown Anner House Newtown Anner or Newtownanner House is a historic country house in Clonmel, County Tipperary, previously a residence of the Osborne baronets. Description Newtown Anner House is a country house built in 1829. The house was a home of the Osbourn ...

Clonmel Clonmel () is the county town and largest settlement of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, Cromwellian army which sacked the towns of Dro ...

County Tipperary County Tipperary () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary (tow ...

. Through this marriage, she became Lady Osborne Beauclerk, but was better known as Beatrix Beauclerk. She became the Duchess of St. Albans when her husband succeeded to the ducal title in 1934. She was appointed to the Orders of the British Empire (Knight Grand Cross (G.B.E.), 1919) and the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (Dame of Grace, D.G.St.J.)Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003. Page 2240. These honours were given in recognition of her work as a hospital administrator during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. She died of heart disease; her husband's reaction to her death was greater than friends of the couple had anticipated.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:St Albans, Beatrix Beauclerk, Duchess of 1877 births 1953 deaths English duchesses by marriage Waterford, Beatrix Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St John Daughters of British marquesses Beatrix Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans

Beatrix Beatrix is a Latin feminine given name, most likely derived from ''Viatrix'', a feminine form of the Late Latin name ''Viator'' which meant "voyager, traveller" and later influenced in spelling by association with the Latin word ''beatus'' or "ble ...

Wives of knights