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
Mary Frances Gunner branch manager for the New York State Employment Service from 1938 to 1950. She was active in the National Association of College Women. Her pageant play, "Light of the Women" (1924), presents the stories of such African-American heroines as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Fanny Jackson Coppin, and Phillis Wheatley. It was intended for performance by community groups and schools, to teach and celebrate the achievements of African-American women. It was performed in 1927 at the YWCA in Orange, New Jersey. Mary Frances Gunner married Jerry van Dunk, also from Hillburn, in 1946. Mary Frances Gunner Mary Frances Gunner (November 9,