Emily was born in 1787 to Peniston Lamb and his wife Elizabeth (née Milbanke).
Due to her mother's numerous love  affairs, her  true paternity was never verified, and has been described as being  "shrouded in mystery".
 The Lamb family had been politically prominent since the mid-18th century, reaching their zenith of influence in Emily's generation.
 Her father was made Viscount Melbourne in 1781.
 Her eldest brother William Lamb twice held the premiership of England, while another brother, Frederick Lamb, was a noted diplomat, and a third, George Lamb, was a minor playwright and journalist of the era.
 The Lambs were closely linked with the Whig party, and were intimates of Queen Victoria.
There was a lifelong bond between William and Emily, whom he fondly called "that little devil Emily";  by contrast she detested his wife, Lady Caroline Lamb (whom she called "the  little beast").
Emily was born in 1787 to Peniston Lamb and his wife Elizabeth (née Milbanke). Due to her mother's numerous love  affairs, her  true paternity was never verified, and has been described as being  "shrouded in mystery".  The Lamb family had been politically prominent since the mid-18th century, reaching their zenith of influence in Emily's generation.  Her father was made Viscount Melbourne in 1781.  Her eldest brother William Lamb twice held the premiership of England, while another brother, Frederick Lamb, was a noted diplomat, and a third, George Lamb, was a minor playwright and journalist of the era.  The Lambs were closely linked with the Whig party, and were intimates of Queen Victoria. There was a lifelong bond between William and Emily, whom he fondly called "that little devil Emily";  by contrast she detested his wife, Lady Caroline Lamb (whom she called "the  little beast").
Emily Temple, Viscountess Palmerston