A troll once tried to tell me who history does & doesn’t remember...so a little light history

I actually deleted a previous poll showing about 25% know Georgiana but the results r still the same & 3x more people recognise Georgiana’s name over Caroline.

Now for some fun facts..

1. Georgiana was an 18th century Duchess and socialite. She’s an ancestor of Princess Diana as she was born a Spencer at Althorp.

2. She was born without a title as Miss Spencer, which changed to Hon, then Lady as her father’s title changed, & finally Duchess upon her marriage.

3. Her marriage to Devonshire was not a happy one & it was mired by scandal & infidelity on both sides.
The Duke had an open affair & two children by HER best friend who lived with them. Georgiana also had an affair & daughter with future Prime minister, Charles Grey(Earl Grey).

4. Despite all scandals, Georgiana was the not only the style icon of her time, but she cultivated a circle of the most influential people of the era. From royalty & politicians to artists, scientists and philosophers, and the media of the time closely chronicled her every move.

5. Georgiana used her influence as a socialite & style icon to contribute to politics. She’s considered the first woman to make active and influential front line appearances on the political scene. So effective was she, that the tabloids accused her of swapping sex for votes.

6. Georgiana was also a published writer of prose & poetry.

7. She died from illness at 48 & thousands congregated outside her home in Piccadilly 2 mourn her

8. Her life has remained a topic of cultural & historical study & she has been immortalised in books, films, tv & opera

I hadn’t heard of Caroline of Ansbach b4 yesterday but she was the consort of George II.

1. She was a German Princess

2. She married an English heir

3. According 2 Wikipedia, was known for her fidelity & never causing a scene. Also for keeping her husband’s mistresses close

4. She had 8 children

5. She was considered to be much smart than her husband and to hold a lot of influence over him

6. Due to lifestyle & political differences she had a bad relationship with their son the Prince of Wales, who was incidentally a close friend of Georgiana’s

7. She died at 54

8. While she appears in historical records, she isn’t really a part of popular culture so I can’t find any books, films,Tv etc 2 reference about her.

Isn’t it interesting that the life of a duchess captured the public’s imagination more thn the royal consort

I think I will bookmark this thread for next when I’m told who history will or won’t remember.
It will remind me that while some names will get a perfunctory mention, others will not only fill the history books, but be recorded in hearts & minds 4 what they DID & not who they are