Maria Kinnaird

Who was Maria Kinnaird?

Maria Kinnaird was born on St. Vincent, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician Richard Sharp, known as "Conversation Sharp". Sharp was once considered possibly to be the most popular man in London of his time and she inherited through him not only a considerable fortune but a wide network of influential friends and contacts, particularly among Whig circles. She became a prominent socialite and leading hostess in London during the mid-Victorian period, being described as an accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman. In 1835 she married Thomas Drummond, who developed the use of Drummond Light in surveying, and it is said gave him important support during his final years when he was held in high regard as Under-Secretary for Ireland.