The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 13 March 1827
“13th.
“We had a rum dinner enough at Denison’s on Saturday altho’ the
Earl of Darlington was there, and a
very merry one at Kensington [Palace] on Sunday, where he
and my lady were likewise, and about 14 of
us. The Duke [of Sussex] handed out the
Countess, the Earl, Lady Mary
Stephenson, and Mr.
Creevey Lady Cis. The Duke
said:—‘Come, Creevey, come and sit next
to Lord Darlington;’ which of course I did,
and he was mighty playful with me all the day.”
Thomas Creevey (1768-1838)
Whig politician aligned with Charles James Fox and Henry Brougham; he was MP for Thetford
(1802-06, 1807-18) Appleby (1820-26) and Downton (1831-32). He was convicted of libel in
1813.
William Joseph Denison (1770-1849)
Banker, landowner, and politician, he was a Whig MP for Camelford (1796-1802), Hull
(1806-07), Surrey (1818-32), and West Surrey (1832-49). He was the brother of Lady
Conyngham, mistress to George IV.
Barbara Palmer, duchess of Cleveland [née Villiers] (1640-1709)
The daughter of William Villiers, second viscount Grandison (1614-1643) and mistress of
Charles II, who granted her the title in 1670. Her sexual adventures were detailed in
Delarivier Manley's
The New Atalantis (1709).
William Harry Vane, first duke of Cleveland (1766-1842)
The son of Henry Vane, second earl of Darlington (d. 1792); educated at Christ Church,
Oxford, he was a lifelong friend of Henry Brougham and a notable sportsman.
