Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/280

 THE WORLD OF WOMEN In this section will be included articles which will place in array before the reader women born to fill thrones and great positions, and women who, through their own genius, have achieved fame. It will also deal with great societies that are working in the interests of women. The Queens of the World Famous IVomen of the Past H'cuu-ns Societies Great Writers^ Artists, and Actresses IVomen of Wealth Wotnen''s Clubs Wives of Great Men Mothers of Great Alen Womatr's W/io^s Who Etc., etc. WOMAH^S WeO'^ WHO THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK I. 1904 the Duke of Norfolk wedded the was the eldest daughter of the late Lord Hemes, Irom whom she inherited, on his death in 1908, the ancient Scottish barony of Herries, and became in her own right Baroness Herries. The duke's first wife died in 1887. Educated in the rather strict seclusion common to old Roman Catholic families, Miss Con- stable-Maxwell's mar- riage to Britain's premier peer caused no little surprise, not to mention envy, for so little was The Duchess of Norfolk known of the bride. Lauijier Even now she goes little into society, preferring the quiet of country life and the companionship of her two bonny children— Lady Mary Rachel Howard, l)orn in 1905, and the Earl of Arundel, born in I9(j8— to the whirl of modern life. She makes an ideal mistress of Arundel Castle. Her charities are boundless, and she is devoted to music. The duchess was born in 1877, and IS thirty years younger than her husband. THE HON. CHARLOTTE KNOLLYS I T was in 1 869, shortly after the marriage of Queen Alexandra, that Miss Charlotte Knollys. then a girl of eighteen, went to stay as a guest at Sandring- ham. She immediately won the esteem of her Majesty (then, of course, Princess of Wales), and was appointed an extra Lady of the Bedchamber. Miss Knollys has remained with her Majesty ever since— officially as secretary and a Woman of the Bedchamber, but unofficially as her Majesty's most intimate friend and confidante. Curiouslv enough, one of her ancestors was Comptroller of the Household to Edward the Black K kShf Prince, while her father held the same position in the household of the late king. And, as every- one knows, Miss Knollys' brother. Lord Knollys, was King Edward's private secretary. As an illustration of the affection with which " Auntie Knollys," as she is known to the royal children, is regarded by Queen Alexandra, it might be mentioned that when a fire broke out at Sandringham, and when, owing to Miss Knollys' prompti- tude, the life of her Majesty was saved, a gold medal was pre- sented to her bearing this inscription : " To our dear Charlotte, in recognition of her presence of mind in The Hon. Charlotte Knollys warning us of our U: &- D. Downey imminent peril by fire at Sandringham in 1907." Needlework and reading comprise Miss Knollys' chief recreations. MRS. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN It was really an accident which led Miss Mary Endicott to become the third wife of Mr. J oseph Chamberlain in 1 8 8 8. In 1 8 8 7 the veteran politician went to the United States as chairman of the Fisheries Commission. By some secre- tarial error, he one day presented himself at the house of a lady who was giving a luncheon party for " ladies only." The hostess, however, begged him to stay, and placed him at the table next to the charming Miss Endicott, whom she " was sure he would like." And so much did Mr. Chamberlain like his companion that marriage followed a few months later. She has proved herself a clever helpmeet, and a sincere friend to the women and children of the poorer classes of Birmingham. Miss Endicott was the daughter of the Minister for War in President Cleveland's administration.
 * Hon. Gwendolen Constable-Maxwell. She