Mary Anne Clarke (born Mary Anne Thompson 3 April 1776 – 21 June 1852) was the mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Their relationship began in 1803, while he was Commander-in-Chief of the army. Later in 1809, she wrote her memoirs which were published. She was the subject of a portrait by Adam Buck, and a caricature by Isaac Cruikshank; ten days after the latter's publication, the Duke resigned from his post as Commander of the British Army. In 1811, she commissioned Irish-born sculptor Lawrence Gahagan to sculpt a marble bust of her; this is now housed in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Through her daughter who married Louis-Mathurin Busson du Maurier, Clarke was the ancestress of author Daphne Du Maurier, who wrote the novel Mary Anne about her life.
Read more about Mary Anne Clarke: Life As A Courtesan, Legacy and Writings
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“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
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—Clement Clarke Moore (1779–1863)