Maria Linley

Maria Linley was born on 10 October 1763[1] and christened two months later on 10 December, at Bath.

[2] She was trained as a singer by her father Thomas Linley the elder[2] (one of seven musical siblings born to him and his wife Mary Johnson).

She performed in the Drury Lane oratorios and in concerts, possessing a voice similar to that of other family members.

[3] As she matured her behaviour changed, she became awkward and "eccentric", leading to arguments with her father, and she left home to stay with her older sister, Mary.

[3] Unhappy at having to sleep in a small attic room, she left her sister's house and moved in with a female friend with whom she shared a bed.