Maria Kinnaird

Maria Kinnaird (1810–1891) was born on St. Vincent, but was orphaned by a volcanic eruption and she was adopted by the politician, Conversation Sharp. She was the heiress of her adopted father and she has been described as a accomplished, attractive, and intelligent woman. Kinnaird married Thomas Drummond who gave his name to the Drummond Light.

Biography
Maria Kinnaird was the adopted child of the politician Richard Sharp Sharp never married but in about 1812 Maria was orphaned following a catastrophic volcano eruption on the West Indian island of St Vincent where her parents are said to have been planters. The circumstances are unclear, but it became the joint decision of Richard, his brother William, and William's wife, Anna, that they should bring Maria to their Park Lane home and legally adopt her. By this time, Richard "Conversation" Sharp was a distinguished and wealthy London character and Maria was given every advantage, educationally, socially and culturally to take her place in society. Sharp moved in the highest Whig circles and Maria came to know many of the best artists, musicians, politicians and socialites of the time. When her adoptive father died she moved into a house in Hyde Park Gardens while maintaining the family retreat, Fredley, in Mickleham, Surrey.

As a teenager Maria became very friendly with Dora Wordsworth, a friendship that lasted until Dora's death and some of their correspondence still exists. Maria is said to have possessed an exceptional singing voice of which William Wordsworth was particularly enamoured. Among her friends were Sydney Smith, the artist J.M.W. Turner, John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, Professor Wheatstone, George Meredith, Charles Babbage and Michael Faraday.

At one time there were rumours that Maria would marry the historian Thomas Macaulay, and the son of Samuel Romilly was also thought to have been infatuated with her, but in the end she married Thomas Drummond at Weston House the impressive home of Sir George Philips, 1st Baronet. She became her husband's mainstay during a particularly stressful period - leading to his death - when he successfully acted as under-Secretary for Ireland (1835-1840).

Maria and Thomas had three daughters, Fanny, Mary (who became the wife of Joseph Kay) and Emily. In her declining years it is said that Robert Browning frequently visited Maria at Fredley to read her some of his, and his wife's, poetry.

Maria Drummond died in 1891 and she is buried in Mickleham churchyard. She left an important self-portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds to her daughter, Emily Drummond, who eventually gave it to the National Gallery in London. The painting had originally been purchased by her adoptive father, Richard Sharp, from Hester Thrale for just over £128 in 1816.

Her fascinating biography, Maria Drummond - A Sketch was written by the author/publisher, Charles Kegan Paul at the request of two of her daughters.