Mary Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire Politician
Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, GCVO CBE (29 July 1895 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire – 24 December 1988 in Westminster, London ) was born Lady Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil, daughter of James Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury. She was married on 21 April 1917 to Edward Cavendish, Lord Hartington, who succeeded his father as 10th Duke of Devonshire in 1938, whereupon Mary became Duchess of Devonshire. She was Mistress of the Robes to Elizabeth II from 1953 to 1967 and Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 1955 to 1972. She was awarded Hon. LLD (Exon) in 1956.