Leveson-Gower, Elizabeth (1765–1839)
Leveson-Gower, Elizabeth (1765–1839)
Countess of Sutherland and painter. Name variations: Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland; Duchess of Sutherland; Elizabeth Gordon. Born May 24, 1765, in Edinburgh, Scotland; died Jan 29, 1839, in London; dau. of William Gordon, 18th earl of Sutherland, and Mary Maxwell; m. George Granville Leveson-Gower (1758–1833, son of 1st marquess of Stafford), Sept 4, 1785; children: George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd duke of Sutherland (1786–1861); Elizabeth Mary Leveson-Gower (1797–1891); Charlotte Sophia Leveson-Gower (1800–1870); Francis Egerton, 1st earl of Ellesmere (1800–1857).
Artist and reformer, contested title on death of father and was successful (Mar 21, 1771); to gain land for the more prosperous sheep farming, husband initiated the Highland Clearances (1780), removing tenants en-masse to the coasts and the islands, where many starved to death or died on overcrowded emigrant ships to the colonies; said to have backed his policies and carried them out with vigor, policies that are still hotly debated.