Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hesketh, Harriet
HESKETH, HARRIET, Lady (1733–1807), friend of Cowper, baptised at Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire, on 12 July 1733, was the daughter and coheiress of Ashley Cowper (1701–1788), clerk of the parliaments, third son of Spencer Cowper (1669–1727) [q. v.] the judge. Her mother was Dorothy, daughter of John Oakes (Clutterbuck, Hertfordshire, ii. 195). She married Thomas Hesketh of Rufford, Lancashire, who was created a baronet on 5 May 1761, and died without issue on 4 March 1778, aged 51. Lady Hesketh was the friend and favourite correspondent of her cousin William Cowper (1731–1800) [q. v.] the poet. She supplied William Hayley [q. v.] with most of the materials for his life of Cowper. Hayley's correspondence with her is now in the British Museum, Addit. MS. 30803 A, B. Lady Hesketh died at Clifton, near Bristol, on 15 Jan. 1807 (Gent. Mag. 1807, pt. i. p. 94).
[Betham's Baronetage, iii. 298; Burke's Peerage, 1889, p. 708. See also art. Cowper, William (1731–1800), the poet.]