Maria (Gunning) Coventry (bef. 1732 - 1760)

Born before 15 Aug 1732 in Hemingford Grey, Huntingdonshire, England

Ancestors

Wife of George William Coventry — married 1 Mar 1752 in St. George's Hanover Sq, London, County Middlesex, England

Descendants

Died 30 Sep 1760 after age 28 in Croome Dabitot, Worcestershire, England

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Maria Gunning was a member of the aristocracy in England.

Biography

Maria Coventry, Countess of Coventry (1733 – 30 September 1760) was a famous London beauty and society hostess during the reign of King George II. Born in Hemingford Grey, Huntingdonshire the eldest child of John Gunning of Castlecoote, County Roscommon and his wife Hon. Bridget Bourke, daughter of Theobald Bourke (1681–1741), 6th Viscount Mayo. Maria's younger siblings were Elizabeth, Catherine (married Robert Travis, died 1773), Sophia, Lizzie, and John (a general in the army). Although her beginnings were humble, Maria Gunning would go on to become one of the most celebrated beauties of her day.

Children of Maria Gunning and George William Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry

1. Lady Anne Margaret Coventry
2. Lady Mary Alicia Coventry+ b. 9 Dec 1754, d. 8 Jan 1784
3. George William Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry+ b. 25 Apr 1758, d. 26 Mar 1831

Sources

• Joan Lane, ‘Coventry [Gunning, Maria, countess of Coventry (bap. 1732, d. 1760)’], Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
• http://thepeerage.com/p3524.htm#i35240