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Ladies of Rank & Fashion 1700′s #2: Mrs. Fanny Abington

Frances “Fanny” Barton Abington (born 1737, London, Eng.--died March 4, 1815, London)

As an English actress, she was regarded for her creativity and leadership in fashion. She started as a flower girl and street singer, who was later hired by a French milliner (hat maker) where she learned much about fashion and also learned the French language. Her first appearance on stage was at the Haymarket Theatre, London, in 1755. In 1756 she became part of the Drury Lane company, but was overshadowed by other actress’ of the time such as Kitty Clive and Hannah Pritchard. After a hapless marriage to her music master in 1759, she became known as Mrs. Abington. She spent five years in Ireland, and then rejoined Drury Lane where she remained for the next 18 years. She played many important roles, among them Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal (1777) by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. She was just as successful in tragedy and comedy. In the last days of her career she went from Drury Lane to Covent Garden. She was a famed leader of fashion, and is known for creating a special hat called the Abington cap, which was widely popular. The portrait is The Comic Muse by Joshua Reynolds 1764-68 at Waddesdon Manor. (Credit: Chelsea Hodgdon)

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Ladies of Rank & Fashion 1700′s #1: Lady Charlotte Duncombe, Baroness Feversham

Lady Feversham 1774-1849

stipple engraving, 1794 by John Hoppner  She was the only daughter of William Legge, the second Earl of Dartmouth, and in 1795 she married Charles Duncombe, the first Baron Feversham, who was a British Member of Parliament.