Early Life
Grace Dalrymple was born in her maternal grandparents' house in Edinburgh, the youngest daughter of advocate and poet Hew Dalrymple (died 1774) and Grisel Craw (died 1765). Her parents separated when she was an infant and she was placed in a French convent where she grew up.
On her return to Scotland her father introduced her into Edinburgh society, where she became renowned for her beauty. She took great lengths to dress and act accordingly, while becoming educated and staying abreast in world events. As recorded in art from the time, she was remarkably attractive, with beautiful facial features and an appealing figure. All of these attributes, along with her intelligence, became her trademark and helped her greatly when she entered into the life of courtesan to royalty
She married the extremely rich physician John Elliott, more than 20 years her senior, in 1771, becoming Mrs Grace Elliott. However in 1774 she fled Edinburgh with Lord Valentia after a scandal. Her own account would put her at 9 years old, but this is not believed to be true, and it is more likely she was entering her teen years.
Her husband John Elliott (later a baronet) received £12,000 in damages, and divorced her. However her brother kidnapped her and had her confined to another French convent.
Read more about this topic: Grace Elliott
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