Mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York. Born in Ball and Pin Alley, White's Alley, Chancery Lane as Mary Anne Thompson, she married Clarke, a stonemason who became bankrupt. She 'went bad' but managed to become a courtesan (rather than a prostitute) and thus met the Duke who in 1803 set her up in her own home where she led an extravagant life. First she was in Tavistock Place and then moved to Gloucester Place.
The Duke may have been a thrifty man since financial disagreements led Mary to cause a public scandal which in turn led to the Duke resigning as Commander in Chief of the army for a time. Mary moved to Loughton and in 1813 was imprisoned for libel for 9 months. On release she moved to France, and died there.
A lot is known about the scandal because in 1809 she issued and other publications, and she did not hold back.
Ellen, her daughter with Clarke, was the mother of George du Maurier.
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