Janetta Hughan Manners

Janetta Manners, Duchess of Rutland (; 8 September 1836 – 11 July 1899) was an English aristocrat and writer.

Early life Janetta was born on 8 September 1836. She was the eldest daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Hughan, of Airds, Galloway, and the former Lady Louisa Georgiana Beauclerk. Among her siblings were Wilhelmina Mary Hughan (who married Henry Houghton, later Houghton-Hughan) and Justina Louisa Hughan (who married Sir Brydges Henniker, 4th Baronet). Her mother was a younger daughter of William Beauclerk, 8th Duke of St Albans and his second wife, Maria Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans.

Writing career Before her husband succeeded to the dukedom, and while she was known as Lady John Manners, she wrote several works, all published in Edinburgh by William Blackwood and Sons, including, Some personal recollections of the later years of the Earl of Beaconsfield, K.G. (better known as Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli), published in 1881, Employment of women in the public service, published in 1882, Encouraging experiences of reading and recreation rooms, and hints how to obtain really good books at moderate prices: Being a sequel to 'Advantages of free libraries and recreation rooms, published in 1886.

Personal life On 15 May 1862, she became the second wife of Lord John Manners, who served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 16 August 1886 to 11 August 1892 during the reign of Victoria. He was the younger son of John Manners, 5th Duke of Rutland and Lady Elizabeth Howard (a daughter of Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle). Together, they lived at Belvoir Castle and were the parents of seven children:

Lord Edward William John Manners (1864–1903), an MP who died unmarried. Lord Cecil Reginald John Manners (1868–1945), an unmarried MP who was killed by throwing himself under a train. Lady Victoria Alexandrina Elizabeth Dorothy Manners (1876–1933)

She brought a Scottish property to the marriage, St Mary's Tower in Dunkeld. In 1888, her husband became the 7th Duke of Rutland upon the death of his unmarried brother Charles, and Janetta became the Duchess of Rutland.

The Duchess died in Homburg on 11 July 1899.