Dido Elizabeth Belle - Socialite

Dido Elizabeth Belle was born around 1761, her father was Sir John Lindsay a British naval officer and her mother was believed to be an enslaved African woman named Maria Belle. Lindsay brought Dido to England as a young child. Dido was sent to live with Lindsay’s uncle William Murray the 1st Earl of Mansfield, a lawyer and politician. Dido was brought up with her white cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House. However, Dido wasn’t presented publicly like her cousin, that might have been a step too far and a racial boundary that couldn't be crossed.

Dido was educated and had financial independence. Her job was to manage the dairy and poultry yard at Kenwood and help her great uncle with admin tasks, for which she was paid.

After Lord Mansfield’s death in 1793 Dido married and lived a quiet life in London.

Dido Elizabeth Belle passed away in 1804.

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