Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina, Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906)

English philanthropist. In 1837 she inherited almost all the great wealth of her grandfather, the banker Thomas Coutts. She resolved to devote her vast wealth to the cause of philanthropy. Her philanthropic exertions were on a vast scale: she endowed the three bishoprics of Cape Town, Adelaide, and British Columbia. She also secured great improvements in the education of girls at the state schools. She also did much to aid the development of emigration schemes.

Burdett-Coutts was born in London, England. In 1881, she married William Ashmead-Bartlett (1851-1921), who assumed her name and was several times elected member of Parliament for Westminster. In 1871 she was made a peeress, and in 1872 she was presented with the freedom of the City of London, being the first woman to receive this privilege.