Marlborough Gallery

Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan, Duchess of Marlborough

Portrait of Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877 - 1964), American heiress and first wife of Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. She married the duke in 1895 after being coerced into the marriage by her mother. After her divorce in 1920, she devoted much of her time to social welfare and was married again, to Colonel Jacques Balsan. Pictured here wearing a spectacular Cartier necklace fashioned like a bow

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

At the Oldway military hospital in Paignton, Devon, WW1

A group taken at the military hospital established at Paignton, Devon during the First World War. From left to right, front row, Dr FitzSimon, Mr Paris Singer (owner of the mansion), Lady Randolph Churchill, (chairman of the hospital committee), Dr Howard W Beal (chief surgeon), Duchess of Marlborough (Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan), Sister Mabelle Welsh, Dr Leonard. The back row is comprised of both British and American nursing sisters. The 255 bed hospital was situated in Oldway House (also known as Oldway Mansion) built by the Singer family of sewing machine fame and it was financed by the American Women's War Relief Fund (headed by Lady Randolph and the Duchess of Marlborough). Queen Mary visited the hospital in November 1914. Date: 1915

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Duchess of Marlborough and the Marquess of Blandford

Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877 - 1964), American heiress and first wife of Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. She married the duke in 1895 after being coerced into the marriage by her mother. After her divorce in 1920, she devoted much of her time to social welfare and was married again, to Colonel Jacques Balsan. Pictured here with her elder son, the Marquess of Blandord who became the 10th Duke of Marlborough. Date: 1900

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans