Mary Robinson (poet) with her, since they feared to receive a bad reputation sympathizing with Mary Robinson. 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
Edward Villiers (Master of the Mint) He had an elder brother, Sir William Villiers (d. 12 June 1629), created a baronet in 1619, who married Rebecca Roper, daughter and co-heir of Robert Roper, esquire, by Elizabeth Nott, the daughter of William Nott, esquire, of Thames Ditton; and three sisters, Elizabeth Villiers (d.1654), who married John Boteler, 1st Baron Boteler of Brantfield; Anne Villiers, who married Sir William Washington, brother of Lawrence Washington, ancestor of George Washington; and Frances Villiers, who died without issue. By his father's second marriage he was a half-brother of James I's favourite, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham; John Villiers, 1st Viscount