Anne Killigrew (lady-in-waiting)

Anne Killigrew (c. 1660 – 16 June 1685) was an English poet and painter. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York (later Queen Mary), and was highly regarded for her artistic and literary talents. Born into a prominent family, her father, Henry Killigrew, was a clergyman and playwright, giving her access to courtly circles and intellectual stimulation from a young age.

Killigrew's poems, which were published posthumously in 1686 as Poems by Mrs. Anne Killigrew, reflect a range of themes, including nature, love, religious devotion, and courtly life. While her artistic output is less extensively documented, surviving examples and contemporary accounts indicate her skill as a portrait painter.

Her early death from smallpox at the age of 25 cut short a promising career. She was widely mourned, and John Dryden wrote a celebrated ode in her memory, titled "To the Pious Memory of the Accomplisht Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew." This elegy solidified her reputation and contributed significantly to her lasting fame. Killigrew is remembered as a talented woman artist and poet whose work offers valuable insights into the cultural and intellectual landscape of Restoration England.