Marie Adelaide Brassey (Freeman-Thomas). 1875 – 1960. 1st Marchioness of Willingdon.
Marie Adelaide, youngest daughter of Thomas Brassey (cr. 1886 1st Baron, later Earl) and Annie Brassey, was born in 1875. The family’s adventures on their steam-yacht Sunbeam were recorded by Lady Brassey in a number of books. Marie as the youngest child was usually referred to by the nickname ‘Baby’.
In 1892 she married Freeman Freeman-Thomas. They had two sons: Gerard, who died in the 1st World War, and Inigo. As Lady Willingdon she accompanied her husband when he was appointed Governor of Bombay in 1913, then Governor of Madras (1919-1924), Governor-General of Canada (1926-1931) and finally Viceroy of India (1931-1936).
Lady Willingdon’s portrait hangs in the entrance way of the Willingdon Club founded by her husband in Bombay. Brassey Avenue in Delhi bears the family name. The Swimming Bath of the Gymkhana Club in Delhi is named after her.