Elizabeth Aldworth

The Honourable Elizabeth Aldworth
Aldworth in Masonic regalia, from a mezzotint of 1811
Born	Elizabeth St Leger 1693/1695 Doneraile, County Cork, Ireland
Died	1773/1775 County Cork, Ireland
Spouse	Richard Aldworth
Children	St Leger Aldworth
Parents	Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile (father) Elizabeth Hayes (mother)

Elizabeth Aldworth (1693/1695^{[note 1]}–1773/1775^{[note 2]}), born Elizabeth St Leger, was known in her time as "The Lady Freemason" and was the first recorded woman to be initiated into Regular Freemasonry.

She was the daughter of Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile, of Doneraile Court, County Cork, Ireland and Elizabeth Hayes.^[1]: 7 She was married in 1713 to Richard Aldworth, Esq.,^[1]: 7 in Newmarket.^[2]

During the duration of the Hon. Elizabeth Aldworth — "Whenever a benefit was given at the theatres in Dublin or Cork for the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum, she walked at the head of the Freemasons with her apron and other insignia of Freemasonry, and sat in the front row of the stage box. The house was always crowded on these occasions. Her portrait is in the lodge-room of almost every lodge of Ireland."^[1]

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