Maria Molyneux, Countess of Sefton
Maria Molyneux, Countess of Sefton (26 April 1769 – 9 March 1851), was the wife of William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton. She was one of the seven of children of William Craven, 6th Baron Craven, and his wife, the former Elizabeth Berkeley; her parents separated in 1780 and her mother, a writer, went to live in France. She married Molyneux, then Viscount Sefton, in 1792, and they had four sons and six daughters: She became well known as one of the Lady Patronesses of Almack's Assembly Rooms in London, a prestigious venue during the  Regency era. As such, she was described in the "" as "kind and amiable". The earl was a friend of the Prince Regent (the future King George IV) and it was through the Seftons that Maria Fitzherbert, who was related to the earl, first met the prince in 1784. As a senior patroness of Almack's, the countess was well-placed to help Mrs Fitzherbert gain her entrance into London society. Fictional portrayals. Maria, Countess of Sefton, features in several of the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer, including "Regency Buck" and "The Grand Sophy".