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
John Villiers, 1st Viscount Purbeck remained strongly opposed to the marriage, but Coke gave way, and on 29 September 1617 Frances Coke and Sir John Villiers were married at Hampton Court, with King James giving away the bride. Lady Hatton still refused to make over her Dorset property to Villiers, and as compensation he was created Baron Villiers of Stoke (today Coleshill, Buckinghamshire), and Viscount Purbeck of Dorset on 19 July 1619. The marriage proved a disaster; Anthony Weldon reports Buckingham as having said that "his brother Purbeck had more wit and honesty than all the kindred beside", but according to Samuel Rawson Gardiner, he