Frances Thynne

Frances Thynne, Lady Worsley (née Thynne, 1673 – 1750) was an English noblewoman connected to several poets of the Augustan era.

She was one of three children of Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth, and his wife Lady Frances Finch (daughter of 3rd Earl of Winchilsea).

In 1690 she married Sir Robert Worsley, 4th baronet. They had one daughter, Frances, Lady Carteret. They lived at Appuldurcome House, Isle of Wight, which Sir Robert began rebuilding in 1702.

Poetic connections

Lady Worsley's maternal aunt in-law was Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea, who wrote poems about her and her siblings. She held a long-running correspondence with Lady Winchilsea and with Jonathan Swift, who held her in high regard. Her daughter Frances would continue this friendship with Swift. Alexander Pope's poem 'Epistle to Mr Jervas' contains the line 'Other beauties envy Worsley's eyes,' referring to Lady Frances Worsley. However, this compliment was originally intended for Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and was changed to Worsley after Lady Mary and the poet had quarrelled.