Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, is of interest to literary studies as a poet, particularly by virtue of her metrical paraphrase of the biblical Psalms, as a dramatist, for her influential translation of a politically-interested play on the subject of Antony and Cleopatra, as an editor of the work of Sir Philip Sidney (her brother), and as a literary patron. Mary Herbert, born on 27th October 1561, was the third daughter (fourth child) of Sir Henry and Lady Mary Sidney. Her father, Sir Henry, was Elizabeth I’s Lord Deputy of Ireland (1565-71 and 1575-78) and Lord President of the Council in the Marches of Wales (1559-86). Her mother, Lady Mary, was a Gentlewoman of the queen’s Privy Chamber (1559-79). Sir Henry’s father, Sir William Sidney, had been entrusted with the care of…

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Citation: Wood, Richard James. "Mary Sidney". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 February 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=12649, accessed 19 March 2024.]

12649 Mary Sidney 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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