Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston
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Mary Curzon Baroness Curzon of Kedleston |
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| Born |
Mary Victoria Leiter 27 May 1870 Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Died | 18 July 1906 (aged 36) Carlton House Terrace, Westminster, London |
| Resting place | Chapel by George Frederick Bodley Kedleston Hall Derbyshire |
| Nationality | American-British |
| Other names | Vicereine of India |
| Years active | 1888–1906 |
| Known for | Success in India of British Raj |
| Spouse(s) | George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston |
| Children |
Mary Irene Cynthia Blanche Alexandra Naldera |
| Parent(s) | Mary Theresa Carver Levi Leiter |
Mary Victoria Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston, CI (27 May 1870 – 18 July 1906) was a British peeress of American background who was Vicereine of India, as the wife of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Viceroy of India. As Vicereine of India, she held the highest official title in history of any American woman up to her time.
She was born Mary Victoria Leiter in Chicago, the daughter of Mary Theresa (née Carver) and Levi Leiter, the wealthy co-founder of Field and Leiter dry goods business, and later partner in the Marshall Fields retail empire. On her father's side, she was of Swiss-German descent. Her family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1881 and entered the exclusive circle of official society there. They lived for several years in the former home of James G. Blaine on Dupont Circle. She was taught dancing, singing, music, and art at home by tutors and learned the French language from her French governess. A Columbia University professor taught her history, arithmetic, and chemistry. Travel and prolonged residence abroad cultivated her powers of observation and breadth of mental vision at an early age. Her poise and finish made her charming to those with mature and brilliant intellect.
Mary was a striking six feet tall presence with a curvy figure. She had large grey eyes set in an oval face, glossy chestnut-brown hair drawn back into a loose knot at the nape of her neck, and delicate hands and feet.
Her debut was in winter of 1888. She was regarded an equal in beauty and breeding, and, frequently, superior in manner and intellect of daughters of better known and longer established families in eastern U.S. society. Prior to her marriage, her closest friend Frances Folsom Cleveland was six years her senior and the wife of a much older President Grover Cleveland.
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