Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford

Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford (1783–1857), was an English noblewoman best known for inventing afternoon tea. She experienced afternoon hunger and proposed taking a light beverage and snack around 2-4 p.m., starting a social custom that grew popular across Britain. Her idea was adopted by upper and middle classes, making afternoon tea a cherished tradition. The duchess’s innovation reflects how personal habits can influence cultural practices, and her legacy endures in the longstanding tradition of afternoon tea in British culture.