Rachel Wriothesley Lady Russell English noblewoman heiress author Rye House Plot letter writer John Tillotson portrait
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C7GPDNFile size:
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2990 x 4502 px | 25.3 x 38.1 cm | 10 x 15 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
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Rachel Wriothesley, Lady Russell (c. 1636 – 29 September 1723) was an English noblewoman, heiress, and author. Her second husband was William Russell, Lord Russell, who was implicated in the Rye House Plot and later executed. A collection of the many letters she wrote to her husband and other distinguished men was published in 1773. Throughout her long life, Rachel was an avid letter-writer as well as an author. Her numerous letters, which were later published in 1773, were written mainly to her husband but also to many distinguished men such as John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury. They were of good quality and exceptionally well-written, and her correspondence provides a personal insight into 17th-century English domestic life. In addition to her letters, Rachel also wrote diaries, essays, a catechism, and Instructions for Children. Seven engraved portraits of Rachel Wriothesley are displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Rachel died at Southampton House, Bloomsbury, London on 29 September 1723, the anniversary of her late husband's birth; she was about 87 years old. Rachel was buried beside her husband on 8 October 1723 in the Bedford Chapel at the Parish Church of Chenies, Buckinghamshire.