Mary Anne Clarke (born Mary Anne Thompson 3 April 1776 – 21 June 1852) was the mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Their relationship began in 1803, while he was Commander-in-Chief of the army. Later in 1809, she wrote her memoirs which were published. She was the subject of a portrait by Adam Buck, and a caricature by Isaac Cruikshank; ten days after the latter's publication, the Duke resigned from his post as Commander of the British Army. In 1811, she commissioned Irish-born sculptor Lawrence Gahagan to sculpt a marble bust of her; this is now housed in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Through her daughter who married Louis-Mathurin Busson du Maurier, Clarke was the ancestress of author Daphne Du Maurier, who wrote the novel Mary Anne about her life.
Read more about Mary Anne Clarke: Life As A Courtesan, Legacy and Writings
Famous quotes containing the words mary and/or clarke:
“It is the space inside that gives the drum its sound.”
—Hawaiian saying no. 1189, ‘lelo No’Eau, collected, translated, and annotated by Mary Kawena Pukui, Bishop Museum Press, Hawaii (1983)
““Wherever there’s Kellys there’s trouble,” said Burke,
“Wherever fighting’s the game,
Or a spice of danger in grown man’s work,”
Said Kelly, “you’ll find my name.”
—Joseph I. C. Clarke (1846–1925)