Mary Alcock

Mary Alcock was an English poet, essayist, and philanthropist. She was part of Lady Anne Miller's literary circle in Bath. Mary Alcock was the daughter of Bishop Denison Cumberland and Joanna Bentley, and her brother was the famous playwright Richard Cumberland. Her husband, the Reverend Alexander Alcock, suffered from severe mental health issues, which led to the early breakdown of their marriage. Later in life, she moved to Bath and cared for her seven nieces after her sister's death. Her posthumous collection, Poems, was published by her niece Joanna Hughes in 1799 and included notable subscribers like the famous poet William Cowper and writer Hannah More.