Social Victorians/People/

Also Known As

• Family name: Holden

Demographics

• Nationality:

Family

• Henry Holden

Timeline

1897 July 2, Henry Holden attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House.

Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's 2 July 1897 Fancy-dress Ball

At the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, Henry Holden (at 325) was dressed as Will Somers (Court Jester) in the Queen Elizabeth procession.

Lafayette's portrait of "Henry Holden as Will Somers, Court Jester to Queen Elizabeth" in costume was included in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery ("album"). The printing on the portrait says, "Mr. Henry Holden as Will Somers Court Jester to Queen Elizabeth" ("Henry").

Questions and Notes

1. In the absence of any information at all, his portrait in the Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball album makes him look like he might be 35–40? Like Muriel Wilson, he probably had a major presence in society journalism?

Works Cited on Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's Ball

• [album] "Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball (1897): photogravures by Walker & Boutall after various photographers." 1899. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait-list.php?set=515 (accessed June 2019).
• "Henry Holden as Will Somers, Court Jester to Queen Elizabeth." Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball Album. National Portrait Gallery(accessed June 2019).
• [Morn Post]