Emily Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne

Emily Jane Mercer Elphinstone Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne and 8th Lady Nairne (16 May 1819 – 26 June 1895) was a British peeress.

Born Emily Jane de Flahaut in Edinburgh, she was the eldest daughter of the French statesman, Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut and his wife, Margaret Keith, 2nd Baroness Keith. On 1 November 1843, she married Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne (becoming Countess of Shelburne) and they had three children:

In 1863, her husband inherited his father's marquessate and she became Marchioness of Lansdowne. She was unable to inherit her mother's title "Baroness Keith" as succession was restricted to male heirs of her mother (of which there were none). However, the House of Lords recognised her as Lady Nairne in 1874, her mother having inherited the title from the latter's cousin in 1837 (although this was not recognised during Baroness Keith's lifetime). On her death at Meiklour House in 1895, the title passed to her eldest son.

In 1834, when she was aged only 15, Frédéric Chopin published his Bolero, Op. 19, with a dedication to her.

Peerage of Scotland
Preceded by
Margaret Keith
(not recognised)
Lady Nairne
1867–1895
(recognised in 1874)
Succeeded by
Henry Petty-FitzMaurice