About Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen
Lived 1754 – 1784 (aged 29). Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen was a British poet, writer and aristocrat.
Amelia Byron, Baroness Conyers, 12th Baroness Darcy de Knayth, 9th Baroness Conyers, 5th Countess of Mértola (née Lady Amelia Darcy; 12 October 1754 – 27 January 1784), known as the Marchioness of Carmarthen from 1773–9, was a British peer and a Portuguese countess. She is best known for eloping with John "Mad Jack" Byron, father of Lord Byron.
Early life Lady Amelia was the only surviving child of the 4th Earl of Holderness and his wife, the former Mary Doublet. Her portrait was painted in about 1764 by François-Hubert Drouais.
Marriage to Marquess of Carmarthen On 29 November 1773, Lady Amelia married Francis, Marquess of Carmarthen, in London, and they had three children: Lord George William Frederick Osborne (21 July 1775 – 10 July 1838), later 6th Duke of Leeds; married Lady Charlotte Townshend, daughter of the 1st Marquess Townshend, on 17 August 1797 and had issue. Lady Mary Henrietta Juliana Osborne (7 September 1776 – 21 October 1862); married the 2nd Earl of Chichester (28 April 1756 – 4 July 1826) in 1801 and had issue. Lord Francis Godolphin Osborne (18 October 1777 – 15 February 1850), later 1st Baron Godolphin; married The Hon. Elizabeth Eden, third daughter of the 1st Baron Auckland, on 31 March 1800 and had issue.
In early 1777, Lady Amelia's mother, Lady Holderness, broke off relations with her daughter after the Carmarthens gave shelter to Richard Glover (son of the poet), a friend of Lord Carmarthen, when he eloped with one of the daughters of Solomon Dayrolles.
Portrait of the Duke of Leeds by Thomas Lawrence. Her marriage to her first husband ended when she eloped with Captain Jack Byron On 16 May 1778, as the only surviving child of her father, Lady Amelia succeeded de jure to the titles of 12th Baroness Darcy de Knayth and 9th Baroness Conyers in her own right, and to the Portuguese countship of Mértola. Her right to the baronies of Darcy de Knayth and Conyers was eventually confirmed in 1798, long after her death.
Affair with "Mad Jack" Byron In December 1778, Lady Carmarthen's marriage ended when she ran off with Captain John "Mad Jack" Byron. Lord and Lady Carmarthen were divorced on 31 May 1779. Almost immediately after the divorce, Lady Conyers, as she was styled, married Byron. They had three children:
Hon. Sophia Georgina Byron (18 July 1779 – died aged two months; buried at Twickenham on 18 September 1779). Unnamed son (died at birth, ca. 1780/81). Her titles were inherited by her eldest son, George. By his second wife, her widower became the father of the poet, Lord Byron.
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Important facts
People in Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen?
British noble
When was Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen born?
Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen was born on 12 October 1754.
When did Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen die?
Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen died on 27 January 1784.
What was Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen's occupation?
Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen was a poet, writer and aristocrat.
What nationality was Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen?
Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen
· DBpedia: Amelia Byron, Baroness Conyers
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen. https://biography.guide/amelia-osborne-marchioness-of-carmarthen/
MLA: "Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/amelia-osborne-marchioness-of-carmarthen/.
Chicago: "Amelia Osborne, Marchioness of Carmarthen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/amelia-osborne-marchioness-of-carmarthen/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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