Masham, Lady Damaris

Masham, Lady Damaris a lady celebrated for her attainments in divinity, daughter of the celebrated Cudworth, was born at Cambridge, England, in 1658. Her father, perceiving the bent of her genius, took particular care of her education, so that she was early distinguished for piety and uncommon learning. She became the second wife of Sir Francis Masham, of Oates, in Essex; and repaid her father's care of her in the admirable pains she took in the education of her only son. In the study of divinity and philosophy she was greatly assisted by Locke, who lived in her family most of his last years, and who died in her house. She died in 1708. Lady Masham wrote a discourse concerning the Love of God (1691, 12mo); and Occasional Thoughts in reference to a Virtuous or Christian Life (1700, 12mo); and drew up the account of Mr. Locke published in the great Historical Dictionary. See Lord King, Life of Locke; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Auth. s.v.