Audrey Georgiana Florence Tennyson

Audrey Georgiana Florence Tennyson, Baroness Tennyson ( Boyle; 15 August 1854 – 7 December 1916) was a British letter-writer, hospital founder and wife of Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, the second governor-general of Australia.

Life She was born in Sussex in 1854. Her parents were Zacyntha Antonia Lorenzina (born Moore) and Charles John Boyle. She was brought up within the British Empire at first in South Africa and from 1856 in Mauritius. From 1868 she became her father's carer until he died in 1882. She had met the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson at his home Farringford House on the Isle of Wight. In 1884 she married his son and heir Hallam Tennyson.

She had enjoyed her time in the British colonies so she supported her husband when he was offered the position of Governor of South Australia. She and Hallam and their three sons arrived in Australia in 1899. The gardens and part of the orchard were damaged in the fire.

By 1902 her husband was Governor-General and they returned to Marble Hill and they discussed buying the house if it became available.

Tennyson supported Agnes Milne, who was a trade unionist, activist and factory inspector, in her oak to end sweated labour. Tennyson said that Milne was "a very interesting, sensible woman".

Death and family

Tennyson died in Freshwater in 1916.

She had three sons: Lionel Hallam Tennyson, 3rd Baron Tennyson (7 November 1889 – 6 June 1951), married Hon. Clare Tennant, daughter of Edward Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner; remarried to Carroll Donner (née Elting) Captain Hon. Alfred Aubrey Tennyson (1891–1918), killed in action during World War I Sub-Lieutenant Hon. Harold Courtenay Tennyson (1896–1916), killed in action during World War I