1. Anne Isabella Noel Byron, 11th Baroness Wentworth and Baroness Byron, nicknamed Annabella and commonly known as Lady Byron, was an educational reformer and philanthropist who established the first industrial school in England, and was an active abolitionist.
Lady Byron married the poet George Gordon Byron, more commonly known as Lord Byron, and separated from him after less than a year, keeping their daughter Ada Lovelace in her custody despite laws at the time giving fathers sole custody of children.
Lady Byron's reminiscences, published after her death by Harriet Beecher Stowe, revealed her fears about alleged incest between Lord Byron and his half-sister.
The scandal about Lady Byron's suspicions accelerated Byron's intentions to leave England and return to the Mediterranean where he had lived in 1810.
Lady Byron was born Anne Isabella Milbanke, the only child of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 6th Baronet, and his wife, the Hon.
Lady Byron was aware of her strong intellect and was not ashamed to demonstrate it in her social realm.
Lady Byron later said to her mother that though she would not venture to introduce herself to Lord Byron, she would certainly accept his introduction if it were offered.
Lady Byron's popularity was soaring following the success of his work Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.
However, Lady Byron was attracted to her modesty and intellect and in October 1812 he proposed marriage through her aunt, the well-connected political hostess Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne.
When George Gordon Lady Byron proposed a second time, in September 1814, she did accept.
Lady Byron rejected payments offered for his written works, as he believed business was not appropriate for a gentleman, and gave copyrights to people who had helped him.
Lady Byron was having difficulty selling his estates at Newstead Abbey and Rochdale to clear his debt.
Lady Byron's moods were dark and he began to drink heavily.
Lady Byron recommended that Annabella take their daughter to her parents' home and stay there temporarily until he settled their finances.
Lady Byron invited a physician to their home to assess him; Byron was unaware of the true purpose for the visit.
The doctor recommended she do as Lady Byron requested and move to her parents' estate.
Lady Byron contacted his solicitor and friend, John Hanson, and told him her concern that her husband would take his life.
Lady Byron provided Hanson with a pamphlet on hydrocephalus, accompanied by notes that suggested Byron could have this particular condition.
Lady Byron committed herself to social causes, such as prison reform and the abolition of slavery.
In furtherance of the latter, Lady Byron attended the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention, where she was one of the few women included in its commemorative painting.
Lady Byron lived in Ealing between around 1822 and 1840, and established Ealing Grove School.
Lady Byron schooled Ada in science and mathematics and discouraged literary study.
Lady Byron attended her daughter's deathbed and, under her influence, Ada underwent a religious conversion.
Lady Byron returned the letter to Kirkby Mallory and communicated her opinion that greater consideration should be taken in the matter of the Byrons' marriage.
Lady Byron asked Mrs Leigh to write to her; in addition, he refused to dissolve their marriage.
Lady Byron agreed to grant her request if she proved that the request for legal separation was truly hers and not that of her parents.
Lady Byron kept his word, and their separation was made legal in March 1816, in a private settlement.
Lady Byron was enraged by such cold treatment of his half-sister.
Lady Byron was motivated to save his soul and secure him a place in Heaven.
Lady Byron kept his letters, copies of her own to him, and letters about him.
Lady Byron carefully documented their relationship, supposedly in preparation for any challenge Lord Byron might make for custody of their daughter.
Lady Byron never sought custody of Ada, though he sent for both of them shortly before his death in Greece on 19 April 1824.
Lady Byron died of breast cancer on 16 May 1860, the day before her 68th birthday.
Lady Byron was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery at Kensal Green in London.
Lady Byron's barony passed to her grandson Byron King-Noel, Viscount Ockham.
Lady Byron was heiress of the Knowle estates through her father, Sir Ralph Milbanke Noel.