Catherine Hyde, Duchess of Queensberry

Catherine Hyde
Duchess of Queensbury
Spouse(s)	Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry
Father	Henry Hyde, 4th Earl of Clarendon
Mother	Jane Leveson-Gower
Born	1701
Died	1777

Catherine Hyde, afterwards Duchess of Queensbury (1701 – 17 June 1777) was an English socialite in London and a patron of the dramatist John Gay.

Hyde was the second daughter of Henry Hyde, 4th Earl of Clarendon and Jane Leveson-Gower. Catherine Hyde married Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry on 10 March 1720. The couple had two sons. The couple lived at Douglas House, in the Petersham section of London.

Hyde was known for her physical beauty and fashion sense. She was a central figure in London high society and was known for her balls and masquerades. According to the standards of her era, Hyde was considered eccentric. She never served meat at any of her suppers. On at least one occasion, she ordered half of her guests to leave her party because she disliked their company.

Hyde was a friend to many members of the English literary community, including Gay, William Congreve, James Thompson, Alexander Pope, Matthew Prior, and William Whitehead. Many of these literary friends placed references to her in their poems and other works. Hyde was also said to have had influence over Prime Minister William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 

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