Background
Parthenope was born in Naples, Italy and was named after its Greek predecessor, Parthenope.
Parthenope was born in Naples, Italy and was named after its Greek predecessor, Parthenope.
During their childhood, they received numerous visits from cousins and distinguished guests. On 24 June 1858, Parthenope married her sister"s rejected suitor, Harry Verney, 2nd Baronet, an Member of Parliament for Buckingham, who was also a supporter of liberal causes and the landowner of Claydon House in Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire. Parthenope soon turned Claydon House into a salon for people of talent, and frequently visited her tenants.
Parthenope was an active supporter of her sister"s work during the Crimean War.
As Lady Verney, she was responsible for extensively remodelling Claydon House. In later years, the two sisters lived near each other on South Street, London.
Lady Verney wrote stories and articles for Fraser"s Magazine, Cornhill Magazine, and Macmillan"s Magazine. She also published several novels and a two volume book, Peasant Properties and Other Selected Essays.
Her work on the Verney family papers was completed and published by Margaret Verney as Memoirs of the Verney Family during the Seventeenth Century.
She was against Florence"s idea of nursing at first. She died in May 1890 aged 71 at Claydon House, the family seat.