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
Maria Villiers, Countess of Clarendon Maria Villiers, Countess of Clarendon Maria Villiers, Countess of Clarendon (23 January 1761 – 18 March 1844), formerly Maria Eleanor Forbes, was the wife of John Villiers, 3rd Earl of Clarendon. Maria was the daughter and co-heir of Admiral Hon. John Forbes and his wife, the former Lady Mary Capell, daughter of William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex. Her mother and the earl's mother being sisters, she and the earl were first cousins. They married on 5 January 1791, and had one daughter, Mary-Harriet, who never married and died in 1838. The earl died in 1838 and was succeeded by