Sidney, Mary

countess of Pembroke, was the sister of Sir Philip Sidney, and married Henry, earl of Pembroke, in 1576. She died in London, Sept. 25,1601. The countess possessed a talent for poetical composition, and translated from the Hebrew many of the Psalms, said to be preserved in the library at Wilton, and in this was assisted by her brother. She also translated (from the French of P. Mornay) and published A Discourse of Life and Death (Wilton, 1590; Lond. 1600, 12mo). She Wrote an Elegy on her brother:-A Pastoral Dialogue in Praise of Astrcea (i.e. queen Elizabeth [1602]):-and a poem, Our Saviour's Passion (Sloanian MS. No. 1303, British Museum).