Cavendish, Lucy Caroline (1841–1925)
Cavendish, Lucy Caroline (1841–1925)
English social and educational reformer. Name variations: Lady Frederick Cavendish, Lucy Cavendish, Lucy Lyttelton. Born Lucy Caroline Lyttelton, Sept 5, 1841, in Worcestershire, England; died April 22, 1925, in England; dau. of George William, 4th Lord Lyttelton (Endowed Schools Commissioner and girls' education advocate) and Mary (Glynne) Lyttelton; sister of Meriel Lyttelton Talbot (1840–1925), Lavinia Talbot (1849–1939), May Lyttelton; also had 8 brothers; m. Lord Frederick Cavendish (MP and 2nd son of Duke of Devonshire), 1864.
Social reformer who campaigned for many causes, including women's education and Home Rule for Ireland, became maid of honor to Queen Victoria (1863); husband assassinated in Phoenix Park, weeks after his acceptance of appointment as secretary for Ireland (1882); served as president of Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education (1885–1912); became member of Royal Commission on Secondary Education (1894) and was also member of Girls Public Day School Trust, founded by father; honored posthumously with founding of Lucy Cavendish College, which focuses on needs of older women students (1965).
See also Sheila Fletcher, Victorian Girls: Lord Lyttelton's Daughters (Hambledon & London, 1997).