Mary Robinson (poet) Mary Robinson (poet) Mary Robinson (née Darby; 27 November 1757? – 26 December 1800) was an English actress, poet, dramatist, novelist, and celebrity figure. During her lifetime she was known as "the English Sappho". She earned her nickname "Perdita" for her role as Perdita (heroine of Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale") in 1779. She was the first public mistress of King George IV while he was still Prince of Wales. Robinson was born in Bristol, England to Nicholas Darby, a naval captain, and his wife Hester (née Vanacott) who had married at Donyatt, Somerset, in 1749, and was baptised 'Polle(y)' ("Spelt
Edward Villiers (1620–1689) 2 July 1689. Around 1650, he married Frances Howard, youngest daughter of Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk and Elizabeth Hume, later governess to James' daughters Mary and Anne. They had numerous children before Frances died of smallpox in 1677. Anne, Elizabeth, Edward and (possibly) Katherine accompanied Queen Mary to the Hague after her marriage in 1677 to William of Orange.) In February 1685, Villiers married Martha Love in Westminster Abbey but they had no children. Edward Villiers (1620–1689) Sir Edward Villiers (15 April 1620 – 1689) was an English politician and military officer from the powerful Villiers family. Edward