Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford

Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), was a British noblewoman known for popularizing the afternoon tea ritual in the early 19th century. During a time when meals were spaced far apart, she initiated the practice of having a light meal with tea in the afternoon to stave off hunger until dinner. This custom gained popularity among the upper classes and gradually became a social tradition in Britain. The Duchess's influence contributed to the establishment of afternoon tea as an iconic British institution, reflecting both social customs and the culture of hospitality in her era.