Ray, Martha (d. 1779)

views updated

Ray, Martha (d. 1779)

Mistress of the earl of Sandwich . Murdered outside the Covent Garden Theatre, London, England, in 1779; mistress of John Montagu (1718–1792), 4th earl of Sandwich (1st Lord of the Admiralty); never married; no children.

The daughter of a London stay-maker, Martha Ray was a talented singer. At age 18, she became the mistress of John Montagu, 4th earl of Sandwich and 1st Lord of the Admiralty, and reportedly had some input into his naval appointments. Montagu was known for employing vast patronage in exchange for bribes and political sway. Ray also became the obsession of James Hackman, a lieutenant in the army and later incumbent of Wiveton, Norfolk. In 1779, when she spurned Hackman's marriage proposal, he was so bereft that he shot her dead as she left the Covent Garden Theatre.

More From encyclopedia.com