Annie, Lady Cowdray

Portrait of Annie, Lady Cowdray (1860-1932) and our most recently acquired painting at Blair Castle.

Lady Cowdray saved the estate from bankruptcy in the 1930s.

A feminist, philanthropist and society hostess, she was a force to be reckoned with. Angela, Lady Cowdray’s granddaughter, was engaged to Anthony Murray, heir to a Dukedom and a failing estate.

John, 8th Duke of Atholl, approached Lady Cowdray and knowing what a shrewd businesswoman she was, explained the estate was at the point of financial ruin. After numerous correspondence a sale was agreed upon, resulting in the estate being bought by Annie for the sum of its debts and placed under the control of her advisors.

Within a month Lady Cowdray died in Paris.