Sunderland, Dorothy Sidney, Countess of, 1617-1684

Woman of letters known for her beauty, wit, and charm. Poet Edmund Waller addressed poems to her under the name "Sacharissa" (from the Latin word "sacharum," meaning "sugar"). In 1635, Dorothy rejected Waller's marriage proposal, and she soon married Henry Spencer at Penhurst. Spencer was killed during the English Civil War, and Dorothy remarried with Sir Robert Smythe nearly a decade later.

Stewart, Dugald, 1753-1828

Son of a mathematician, Stewart became a major figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, teaching at the University of Edinburgh on mathematics and moral and political philosophy, and through his lectures and writings profoundly influencing many British literary and political figures. He was joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.