Catherine (Halhead) Burton

British

BiographyCatherine Halhead was born between 1762 and 1766, the eldest daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Halhead of Durham. Following the death of her father in 1785, she and her younger sister Elizabeth inherited extensive property in Middridge, County Durham. Two and a half years later, on January 1, 1788, she married Francis Burton (1744-1832) of Edworth, Bedfordshire, a man twenty years her senior with a distinguished career in law and politics. The political patronage of the 4th Duke of Marlborough secured Burton a number of public offices, and as a member of parliament he was instrumental in framing bills for promoting the building, repairing, and general support of churches, chapels, and the residences of clergymen. Intelligent and well-read, Catherine Halhead Burton reportedly joined as an "invaluable partner" in her husband's multifarious professional activities. His biographer noted, "No sketch of Mr. Burton's life would be complete that omitted particular mention of his excellent wife. To great energy of character, she united a cool judgment, and an understanding capable of grappling with every subject, however complicated." Shortly after their marriage, Francis Burton's vision began to deteriorate; by 1800 he was entirely blind in one eye, and he eventually lost use of the other eye as well. Catherine Burton served as his amaneunsis, reading and summarizing newspapers and other documents. With her assistance he sustained his legal duties, gaining renown as "The Blind Senator." In verses written in mock-quotation of Burton, a family friend paid tribute to his wife as "A model of tenderness, care and affection,/My comfort and blessing, bestowed as a prize,/Which more than compensates the loss of my eyes." Childless and possessed of ample means, the Burtons were benefactors of many charities. At his alma mater, Westminster School, Burton established a prize of books for town boys. Catherine Burton died on February 24, 1830, and her husband on November 28, 1832. They were buried side by side in the family vault in the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

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