Leigh, Augusta (1784–1851)
Leigh, Augusta (1784–1851)
Influential sister of Lord Byron. Name variations: Augusta Byron; Mrs. George Leigh. Born Augusta Mary Byron in Paris, France, Jan 26, 1784; died of cancer, Nov 27, 1851; dau. of John Byron and Lady Carmarthen (formerly wife of Francis, Marquis of Carmarthen, later 5th duke of Leeds); aunt of Ada Byron, countess of Lovelace; m. her cousin Colonel George Leigh, 1807 (died 1850); children: Georgiana Augusta Leigh (b. Nov 4, 1808); Augusta Charlotte Leigh (b. Feb 9, 1811); George Henry John Leigh (b. June 3, 1812); (Elizabeth) Medora Leigh (b. April 15, 1814); Frederick George Leigh (b. May 9, 1816); Amelia Marianne Leigh (b. Nov 27, 1817); Henry Francis (b. Jan 28, 1820).
The product of a scandalous liaison between John Byron, known as Mad John, and Lady Carmarthen (her mother was 8 months pregnant with her when she married John Byron and fled to Paris, then died in childbirth), was very close to half-brother Lord Byron, so close that there was some speculation that her daughter Medora was their daughter.
See also Women in World History.