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Lady Catherine Stepney b.? d. 1845

Catherine  was the daughter of Thomas Pollock, Doctor of Laws and his wife Susannah who was the daughter of Charlton Palmer of London.

Catherine married twice and her first husband was Russell Manners. As Catherine Manners she published two novels, one in 1806 entitled Castle Nuovier or Henry and Adelina, and another in 1809 entitled Lords of Erith.

Catherine married Sir Thomas Stepney 9th Baronet who had succeeded to his brother’s title but not his estate. Sir Thomas was groom of the bedchamber to HRH the Duke of York and had taken the title of Baronet in October 1811 following the death of his brother Sir John Stepney. The marriage between Catherine and Thomas took place in Edinburgh on 8 June 1813.

Sir Thomas Stepney 9th Baronet died on 12 September 1825 and the baronetcy came to an end. His widow, Lady Catherine Stepney, was said to be accomplished and very fashionable had made her house the rendezvous of authors and artists.

She continued to write novels after her husband’s death including The New Road to Ruin (1833), The Heir Presumptive (1835); The Courtier’s Daughter (1838, 1841) and The Three Peers (1841) all in 3 volumes. The novels were said to show careful observation of London society of the time. Lady Catherine also contributed to the fashionable annuals of the day but a Miss Mitford declared quite spitefully (or honestly – whichever opinion was held) that everything under Lady Stepney’s name was rewritten by Miss Landon, ‘or the grammar and spelling would have disgraced a lady’s maid.’

Lady Catherine Stepney, widow of Sir Thomas Stepney 9th Baronet died at Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square, London on 14 April 1845.