Papers relating to the Cavendish Family

This collection comprises correspondence from Lucy Caroline Cavendish, mostly to her sister Meriel Talbot (1847-1911); copy letters from brothers and sisters (1860s-1925); the marriage settlement between Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish and the Hon. Lucy Caroline Lyttelton (6 June 1864); a list of letters from Lucy Caroline Cavendish to The Times with some transcripts (1892-1921); press cuttings re the death of Lucy Caroline Cavendish. transcript of a draft book on Lucy Caroline Cavendish possibly written by Lucy Blanche Masterman [c 1967].

Born Lucy Caroline Lyttelton on 5 September 1841, the second daughter of George William, 4th Lord Lyttelton, and his first wife, Mary nee Glynne. She became a Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria in 1863. She married Lord Frederick Cavendish, the second son of the Duke of Devonshire in 1864. Lord Frederick, MP, was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1882. Tragically, within a few weeks of taking up this appointment, he was assassinated in Phoenix Park, Dublin. After his death Lucy Caroline Cavendish pursued her interest in education for women, becoming President of the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education from 1885-1912. In 1894 she became a member of the Royal Commission on Secondary Education. She also became a member of the Girls Public Day School Trust, founded by her father. In 1904 she received the first Honorary Degree bestowed by Leeds University. She died on 22 April 1925. Further information about Lucy Cavendish is available in Sheila Fletcher (1997) Victorian Girls: Lord Lyttelton's Daughters

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Lucy Cavendish College Archive. A prior appointment and proof of identity are required.

The Cavendish Family papers were presented as a gift to the College by Lucy Blanche Masterman, mother of Margaret Masterman Braithwaite (founding fellow), and niece of Lucy Caroline Cavendish.

Listed to file level, a paper copy is available in the Archive Reading Room.

Collection description by Karen Davies, College Archivist. Amended by Genesis Project Manager. Collection Description transferred to the Archives Hub in 2008 as part of Genesis 2008 Project

Researchers wishing to publish excerpts from the papers must obtain permission from the copyright holder.

Further papers of Lucy Cavendish are to be found at Hagley Hall, Hagley, Worcestershire.

The location of the original letters from Lucy Caroline Cavendish's brothers and sisters is unknown