Marguerite Wilson

Marguerite Pelouze (née Wilson; 24 May 1836 - 25 July 1902 ) was an heiress, daughter of Scottish industrialist Daniel Wilson, sister-in-law to French chemist Théophile-Jules Pelouze and sister of French deputy Daniel Wilson. From 1864 to 1888, she owned the château de Chenonceau, making it an academy of arts and letters that hosted writers, historians, musicians, painters and sculptors.

Life

Early life

She was born in Paris into a very rich family living in the city's 2nd old arrondissement. She was the eldest daughter of Scottish chemist and industrialist Daniel Wilson and his French wife Antoinette Henriette Casenave. Her mother died in 1843, her sister Marie-Anne Berthe in 1845 and her father in 1849. A family lawyer made Casenave's brother Antoine Mathieu Casenave, vice-president of the tribunal de Première Instance de Paris, the two children's tutor on 5 September 1849. He held that role until 1857 for Marguerite and until 1861 for Daniel junior. From 1857 onwards Marguerite took over her brother's education, teaching him about social life and introducing him to artists, politicians and businessmen.

Social life