‘A LADY OF SINGULAR INGENUITY AND POLITENESS’: The life of Mary Granville, Mrs Delany with Dorothy Morgan

This illustrated talk will examine the life of Mrs Delany from reluctant young bride to a second widowhood. She was admired and respected by all, from Joseph Banks and Horace Walpole to Fanny Burney and George III and Queen Charlotte. Artist, designer, gardener, embroiderer, correspondent, sometime political activist and ‘amiable’ companion, Mrs Delany trod her own path within the confines of 18th century society with grace, intelligence and a firm step.

Dorothy Morgan, honours history graduate of The University of Melbourne, was Guest Curator of the exhibition FLOWERING NEEDLES: embroidery from Elizabeth to Victoria, (2010) and the house tour FAIR HALL TO GLAD PARLOUR: The Flower, Its Beauty & Meaning in Art & Ornament (2011) and lectured on Bess of Hardwick (2010), all for The Johnston Collection

Mrs Delaney (1700-1788), Passion Flower (from the Flora Delanica) (detail), paper mosaic, circa 1771-1781