The Marchioness of Queensberry

But which one visited No 30 Brunswick Terrace? Indeed, there are many mentions of the Queensberrys toing and froing from Brunswick Town but with no addresses given, perhaps it was often No 30. Having now researched this family in some detail, it is most likely to be the 7th Marchioness Sarah (nee Douglas 1794-1864) married to the 7th Marquis John Douglas (1779-1856). She was known to be constantly at loggerheads with her rebellious daughter-in-law the 8th Marchioness Caroline. Caroline’s husband had died in a shooting accident or suspected suicide in 1858.

Because of the scandals caused by Caroline’s attachment to and support of the Irish cause, Sarah threatened to take her grandchildren away from her and this led to Caroline escaping to France with her three youngest children. She was fortunate to be given the protection of Emperor Napoleon III, a friend since childhood, until it was safe for her to return to England.

Caroline returned in 1864 when Sarah was no longer a threat due to her declining health.

Much is written about this family but of note are one of Sarah’s grandchildren John Sholto Douglas (1844-1900) who became the 9th Marquess of Queensberry in 1858. He endorsed the generally accepted rules of boxing, the Queensberry or Queensbury rules. His other claim to fame was relentlessly accusing the writer Oscar Wilde of sodomy. Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas, (1870-1945) great grandson of Sarah and son of John Sholto was Oscar’s lover. Wilde was eventually forced to launch a prosecution for libel which became impossible to uphold.

Eventually, after three trials, Wilde was sentenced to two years’ hard labour after which he escaped into exile. Sibyl, the 9th Marchioness of Queensberry was very close to her son ‘Bosie’ and they both spent many years in Hove. Addresses were recorded at St Ann’s Court, in Nizells Ave (where there is a blue plaque for Bosie), Brunswick Place and Square. They are both buried at the Friary, in Crawley.

Research by Anne Smedley (March 2024)

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