Phaius tankerville was named in her honour by Sir Joseph Banks because she was the first person to make it flower successfully in England.

Her father was a member of parliament from 1751 to 1761 and the owner of Gatton Park.With her sister Mary, Emma inherited her parents' estate when they died in 1761.

Emma and Mary were raised largely by their uncle George Colebrooke, a banker and Chairman of the East India Company.

The 5th Earl, Charles Augustus, who was born on 28 April 1776 was treasurer of the household during the short administration of Mr Fox in 1806.

Despite this, she included scientific scope notes on the margins and backs of her the paintings in her collection outlining such things as classification, conditions for growth, history, and her own observations.

[11] In addition, her daughter Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet (21 May 1785 to 27 February 1861) worked with their gardener (William Richardson) to cultivate new strains of tri-colored viola pansy flowers[12] that were presented to the botanical society and horticulture groups in 1812.

Her works are in private collections including a composition of her home at Belsay Castle rendered in 1834 after her marriage on 26 July 1831 to Sir Charles Miles Lambert Monck, Bt.

Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet also trained and worked with the London artist John Linnell in engraving as well as miniature painting on ivory.