Wilson, Harriette (1786-1855)

English courtesan. Her career began at the age of 15 with the Earl of Craven, and subsequent paramours included the Duke of Argyll, the Duke of Wellington, and the Marquis of Worcester. From 1925 her lively but libellous Memoirs, exposing her relationships, were published in parts with suggestive advance publicity aimed at blackmail. Wellington reacted with the celebrated outburst - ‘Publish and be damned!’

Wilson was born in Mayfair, London, and was of French descent.