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
Mary Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham Mary Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham Mary Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham (30 July 1638 – 20 October 1704), formerly Mary Fairfax, was the wife of George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Mary was the daughter of Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron, and his wife Anne. She was baptised at St Mary Bishophill Junior, York, on 1 August 1638. During the 1650s, she was tutored by Andrew Marvell. Mary was to have married Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, but developed a preference for Buckingham, whom she married on 15 September 1657 at Bolton Percy, following his return from exile.