Mary Curzon, 2nd Baroness Ravensdale
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Mary Irene Curzon, 2nd Baroness Ravensdale (January 20, 1896 – February 9, 1966) was the eldest child of George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and Mary Victoria Leiter, a daughter of Levi Zeigler Leiter. She inherited her father's Barony of Ravensdale and was created a life peer as Baroness Ravensdale of Kedleston, of Kedleston in the County of Derbyshire in 1958.
She had an intimate view of the Duke of Windsor, his friendship and marriage to Wallis Simpson and the life of the Windsors, herself and through her sister Alexandra and her bother-in law-Major Edward Dudley Metcalfe[2], the best friend of Edward VIII. She saw the rise of British fascism from behind the scenes through her sister Lady Cynthia Mosley ("Cimmie") and her other brother-in-law Sir Oswald Mosley.
Irene was intensely musical and a passionate fox hunter. She had numerous adulterous love affairs within the elite Melton Mowbray hunting clique. She claimed to having had a long affair with the renowned pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
During the war she was based at Dorchester Hotel ("the Dorch"), her days spent nursing wounded soldiers, working in canteens, lecturing and doing other war work. Irene was made the fourth woman Life Peer for her work with youth clubs. Her (also adulterous) youngest sister, Alexandra Naldera Curzon ("Baba"), was recognized with the title: Commander of the British Empire (CBE), for her tireless efforts for the Save the Children Fund.
Victor Cazalet proposeed to her. She was engaged to Miles Graham but never married and had no children.[3], [4]
[edit] References
- ^ de Courcy Anne (2002) "The Viceroy's Daughters: the Lives of the Curzon Sisters", W. Morrow, New York, amazon.co.uk, paperback retrieved Feb 23, 2007Large cover image:, Excerpt:
- ^ Time, June 8, 1925Time
- ^ "The Viceroy's Daughters:" ISBN 0066210615 Library of Congress Online Catalog, retrieved Jan 16, 2007, Review
- ^ "The Viceroy's Daughters:", Hardcover Publishers Preview
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Nathaniel Curzon |
Baron Ravensdale | Succeeded by Nicholas Mosley |
