Audrey Georgiana Florence Tennyson, Baroness Tennyson ( Boyle; 15 August 1854 – 7 December 1916) was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

letter-writer, hospital founder and wife of

Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, (11 August 1852 – 2 December 1928) was a British aristocrat who served as the second governor-general of Australia, in office from 1903 to 1904. He was previously Governor of South Australia from 1899 to ...

, the second governor-general of Australia.

Life

She was born in Sussex in 1854. Her parents were Zacyntha Antonia Lorenzina (born Moore) and Charles John Boyle. She was brought up within the British Empire at first in South Africa and from 1856 in Mauritius. From 1868 she became her father's carer until he died in 1882. She had met the poet

Alfred, Lord Tennyson Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (; 6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892) was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of ...

at his home Farringford House on the Isle of Wight. In 1884 she married his son and heir

Hallam Tennyson Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, (11 August 1852 – 2 December 1928) was a British aristocrat who served as the second governor-general of Australia, in office from 1903 to 1904. He was previously Governor of South Australia from 1899 to ...

. She had enjoyed her time in the British colonies so she supported her husband when he was offered the position of Governor of South Australia. She and Hallam and their three sons arrived in Australia in 1899. She and Hallam enjoyed their time at the summer residence of

Marble Hill Marble Hill is the name of: Australia *Marble Hill, South Australia, the vice-regal residence in the Adelaide Hills Ireland * Marble Hill, County Donegal, a village in County Donegal United Kingdom *Marble Hill House, a villa on the banks ...

, despite having to contend with heat, drought and bushfires during their stays. The intense heat and drought of the summer of 1901 resulted in a number of bushfires while Lord and Lady Tennyson were in residence. Lady Tennyson wrote that the bushfires, with their billowing smoke and glowing hilltops by night, were a remarkable sight. The gardens and part of the orchard were damaged in the fire. By 1902 her husband was Governor-General and they returned to Marble Hill and they discussed buying the house if it became available. They left Australia after a year of Hallam being the Governor-General. 262 letters survive from Tennyson to her mother during her time in Australia. The letters were rediscovered and are now in Canberra. They have been the basis of a book edited by

Alexandra Hasluck Dame Alexandra Margaret Martin Hasluck, Lady Hasluck, (née Darker; 26 August 1908 – 18 June 1993), also known as Alix Hasluck, was an Australian author and social history, social historian. She published a number of works on the history of ...

. Tennyson supported

Agnes Milne Agnes Anderson Milne (1 December 1851 – 1919) was a founding member of the South Australian branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, a member of the first executive of the Working Women's Trades Union, and South Australia's second fem ...

, who was a trade unionist, activist and factory inspector, in her oak to end sweated labour. Tennyson said that Milne was "a very interesting, sensible woman". Her husband donated land for a new church in Freshwater Bay. Audrey suggested that the church be named for St Agnes. St Agnes Church was consecrated on 12 August 1908.''Freshwater Isle of Wight Page 2''
Steve Shafleet
Isle of Wight Historic Postcards
website, 26 December 2006

Death and family

Tennyson died in

Freshwater Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. The term excludes seawater and brackish water, but it does include non-salty mi ...

in 1916. She had three sons: * Lionel Hallam Tennyson, 3rd Baron Tennyson (7 November 1889 – 6 June 1951), married Hon.

Clare Tennant Clarissa Madeline Georgiana Felicite Tennant (later Bethell, Tennyson and Beck; 13 July 1896 – 3 September 1960), known as Clare Tennant, was a British socialite, prominent in early 20th century high society in London. Early life Clare was bor ...

, daughter of

Edward Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner Edward Priaulx Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner (31 May 1859 – 21 November 1920), known as Sir Edward Tennant, 2nd Baronet from 1906 to 1911, was a Scottish businessman and Liberal Party (UK), Liberal politician. In 1911 he was raised to the p ...

; remarried to Carroll Donner (née Elting) *

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

Hon. Alfred Aubrey Tennyson (1891–1918),

killed in action Killed in action (KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their personnel at the hands of enemy or hostile forces at the moment of action. The United States Department of Defense, for example, ...

during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

* Sub-Lieutenant Hon. Harold Courtenay Tennyson (1896–1916),

during

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tennyson, Audrey Georgiana Florence 1854 births 1916 deaths British baronesses People from Sussex English reporters and correspondents

Life

Death and family

See also

References