Stanhope, Lady Hester
Brief Biography:
Born an aristocrat, raised with wealth, and political connections, Lady Hester Stanhope used her background and upbringing to enter the Middle East, to charm, to be named the Queen of the Desert, and Protectress of the Unfortunate. Her father, Charles third Earl of Stanhope, was a revolutionist and inventor. Lady Hester's Uncle, William Pitt was the youngest man to be elected as Prime Minister in England. Lady Hester was never happy in her strict home. At the age of 23, she moved to live with her grandmother, and eventually with her Uncle Pitt. While living with her uncle, Lady Hester was his most trusted confidant, and his hostess. Her uncle's popularity gained her favor with London society. After Pitt's death, Lady Hester was left homeless and penniless. Because of her uncle's loyal services, the king award her an annual pension. At the death of her brother, Charles, and her love, Sir John Moore, she decided to leave England hoping to cure her despair and loneliness. Accompanied by a newly graduated medical student, Charles Meryon, she set out on her adventure. Lady Hester toured the Middle East living among the inhabitants, adapting to their style of dress, and receiving the attention she craved. Lady Hester, after years of traveling, settled in Syria, were her generosity kept her the center of attention. Yet, it her generosity would be her downfall; it left her in poverty to die alone in 1839.

Brief Itinerary:
Lady Stanhope started her journey to the Middle East in 1810. Leaving England her first destination was Gibraltar; from there she had intentions of traveling through Italy and France. Since France and England were at odds, she never reached those countries. Instead Lady Stanhope traveled to Greece, touring the cities of Corinth, Kenkri, and Athens. From Greece, Hester and her companions visited Constantinople. After relaxing a few months at the Baths of Brusa, in Turkey, Lady Hester traveled to Egypt. In Egypt, she visited Alexandria, Rosetta, and Cairo. Leaving Egypt Hester traveled to Jaffa, Ramlah, Bethlehem, and eventually Jerusalem. Lady Hester's biggest ambition was to travel to the Ruins of Palmyra, a feat never accomplished by a Christian. In April 1813, Lady Hester reached Palmyra, but had to leave suddenly, running from hostile desert tribes. Lady Stanhope went on into Syria where she settled. A treasure-hunting scheme took her to Ascalan. Upon her return from hunting, Lady Stanhope settled in Djoun where she made her home in 1817, after seven years of travel. It was in Djoun where Hester would live and eventually die in isolation.

Brief History of the Text:
An account of Lady Hester Stanhope's travels is found in Travels of Lady Hester Stanhope, narrated by her physician, and companion, Charles Meryon. The text was first published in London in 1846 by H. Coburn, a firm that had published her memoirs the previous year. Since then the text has been published at least twice, once in 1848 in London, and again in 1983 in Austria.




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