Ann Liddell

Ann Liddell or Ann Clavering (c. 1686 – 1735 or later) was a British political commentator.

Life Liddell was probably born in County Durham as she was baptised at Chopwell on 21 April 1686. She was the middle child of three born to Ann and John Clavering. Her maternal grandfather was Sir Henry Thompson who was an MP. Her father owned coalfields and they enjoyed a comfortable living. He married again after her mother's death and in time she had eight half brothers and sisters. Her elder sister Mary Clavering was a Lady of the Bedchamber for Caroline, Princess of Wales.

Disaster came when her father suddenly died as his will left his estate to his son and Ann's half brother John Clavering. John however was a child and the estate therefore was held by the Court of Chancery until her half brother reached his majority. With her elder sister married it was Ann, and nominally their cousin James Clavering, who had to find the funds to maintain the family and her sibling's education. Ann had of necessity to understand the coal business. She found that the ambiguous position of the Clavering-Stella colliery's ownership was proving a temptation to others to redirect its profits in their direction. She wrote warning letters to her cousin and fellow trustee to increase his efforts in protecting their inheritance. Liddell's letters are in the UK National Archives.