Mary Eleanor, was George Bowes’ only child. George doted on Mary Eleanor, employing tutors for her education including languages, the arts and writing. An honour only bestowed on sons at this time.
Later in life, with her first marriage to the 9th Earl of Strathmore over and her estate and wealth back intact, Mary Eleanor was free to explore her passion for botany.
It was at a time when plant collecting had become increasingly fashionable and returning from a far off place with an exotic specimen was quite the trophy.