Jane Cathcart (born Jane Hamilton; 19 August 1726 – 13 November 1771) was the wife of Lord Cathcart the British ambassador to Russia. She was a personal friend of Catherine the Great and a patron to Josiah Wedgewood.

Jean Cathcart
Born1726
London, England
Died1771
Saint Petersburg
Spouse(s)Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart
Children9
ParentsLord Archibald Hamilton
Lady Jane Hamilton

Life

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Cathcart was born in 1726 in London. Her mother was Lady Jane Hamilton who was said to be the mistress of Frederick, Prince of Wales and she was the second wife of Lord Archibald Hamilton governor of the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich and youngest son of Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton.[1]

On 24 July 1753, at her father's Royal Naval Hospital, she married Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart.[1]

Her husband was offered the role of Ambassador to Russia despite his lack of diplomatic experience as it was not an attractive appointment. He is thought to have accepted it, because he needed the money. He was there for some years but he made significant mistakes. However Jean fared better and she became a personal friend of Catherine the Great. She told the Empress about the work of her brother, Sir William Hamilton, who was an antiquarian. Cathcart was a patron to Josiah Wedgewood and her influence helped to create the sale of the Wedgewood Frog Service.[1] The service was created in 1773-4 and is considered to be one of Josiah Wedgewood's greatest achievements. The pottery was stamped with a frog and the pieces contained views of notable British buildings, gardens and antiquities. [2] The majority of the service is now in the Hermitage Museum.

Personal life and children

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Bust of his daughter Mary.

On 24 July 1753 she married Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart.[3]

They had nine children and six survived:

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Cathcart, Charles Schaw, ninth Lord Cathcart (1721–1776), army officer and diplomat". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4885. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Retrieved 2022-11-27. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ "Cacklegoose Press - The Green Frog Service". www.cacklegoose.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  3. ^ Matthew, H. C. G.; Harrison, B., eds. (2004-09-23). "The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. ref:odnb/4885. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4885. Retrieved 2022-11-27. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ The Register of Births & Baptisms in the Parish of St James within the Liberty of Westminster Vol. IV. 1741–1760. 16 June 1754.
  5. ^ "The Honourable Mrs Graham (1757–1792)". National Galleries Scotland.