Susanna Montgomerie, Countess of Eglinton
Susanna Montgomerie, Countess of Eglinton (1690 – 18 March 1780) was the third wife of Alexander Montgomerie, 9th Earl of Eglinton. She lived as a widow for nearly 51 years before dying at Auchans, Scotland in 1780, aged 90. She signed herself as S. Eglintoune. Background Born at Culzean Castle in 1690, Lady Eglinton was the daughter of Sir Archibald Kennedy, 1st Baronet of Culzean, and the Hon. Elizabeth Leslie, daughter of David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark. Personal qualities, marriage and anecdotes Lady Eglinton was celebrated for her beauty and height (6 feet), and for her patronage of the Scottish poets and writers of her day. She was exceptional in her knowledge of art, music, literature, science, philosophy and history; additionally she spoke Italian, French and German. Her interest in literature was seen by her contemporaries to be distinctly odd for one of her station. Sir William Fraser, the Scottish historian, said that "to her loveliness were added the more valuable attractions of genius and great accomplishment." Fullarton suggests that Susanna's personality owed much to her maternal grandfather, General David Leslie, later Lord Newark; he was second in command at the Battle of Marston moor and in command at the