Famous Devon Figures

Angela Burdett-Coutts
Orphaned at the age of eight, Angela Burdett-Coutts inherited her fortune from her grandfather Thomas Coutts when she was 23. Known as 'the queen of the poor' for her philanthropic work Miss Burdett Coutts first came to Torquay in 1856 to live at Meadfoot House, No 1 Hesketh Crescent. She gave many gifts to Torbay reflecting her interests in education, science and her concern for the welfare of 'fallen women'. Marrying for the first time aged 67 she died in 1906 aged 92. A commemorative plaque to Baroness Coutts can be found at the entrance to the Riviera International Centre (formerly her home Ehrenberg House) in 1987.