Maria Alford

Who was Maria Alford?

Marianne Margaret Alford, Viscountess Alford, generally known as Lady Maria Alford, was an English artist, art patron, and author.

Alford was the elder daughter of Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquis of Northampton, by his wife Margaret, eldest daughter of Major-general Douglas Maclean-Clephane, was born in 1817 at Rome, where her father was then living. Her childhood was spent in Italy and she derived a love of that country which lasted throughout her life. She came to England in 1830 with her parents, but in later life returned to spend many winters in Rome. On 10 February she was married at Castle Ashby to John Hume Cust, viscount Alford, elder son of John Cust, first Earl Brownlow, and the heir to a portion of the large estates of Francis Egerton, third and last Duke of Bridgewater. In 1849, this property passed to Lord Alford, but he died in 1851, leaving his widow with two sons. After a legal contest which followed Lord Alford's death, his elder son's claim to succeed to the Bridgewater estates was granted by the House of Lords on 19 August 1853.

Lady Marianne Alford was an accomplished artist, inheriting her tastes from both her parents.