Mary Boyle, Countess of Cork and Orrery
| Mary Boyle | |
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Mary Boyle, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, c.1777–1778
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| Born | Mary Monckton 21 May 1746 |
| Died | 30 April 1840 (aged 93) |
| Title | Countess of Cork and Orrery |
| Tenure | 1786-1840 |
| Known for | Literary hostess |
| Nationality | British |
Mary Boyle, Countess of Cork and Orrery (21 May 1746 – 30 May 1840) was an Anglo-Irish literary hostess.
Born Mary Monckton, she was a daughter of John Monckton, 1st Viscount Galway by his second wife, Jane Westenra of Rathleagh, Queen's County, Ireland.
From her early years, she took a keen interest in literature, and through her influence, her mother's house in London became a favourite meeting place of literary celebrities; Dr Johnson was a frequent guest. Boswell places Mary Monckton among the clubs, and writes:
Johnson was prevailed with to come sometimes into these circles, and did not think himself too grave even for the lively Miss Monckton (now Countess of Corke), who used to have the finest bit of blue at the house of her mother, Lady Galway. Her vivacity enchanted the Sage, and they used to talk together with all imaginable ease.
The playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan was a close friend and regular visitor: in the 1780 general election he stood jointly in the Whig interest with Mary's brother Edward and was elected 2nd Member for Stafford. Reynolds, Burke and Horace Walpole were among her constant visitors, and Mrs Siddons was her closest friend. In 1786, she became the second wife of Edmund Boyle, 7th Earl of Cork and 7th Earl of Orrery. As Lady Cork, her love of social "lions" became more pronounced than ever. Among her regular guests were Canning and Castlereagh, Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Theodore Hook and Sydney Smith. Politically, there was never any doubt of her sympathies: although brother Edward wavered, Mary still signed herself "a True Whig" into old age.
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