Qabaj Khatun – (fl. 674 – 689)
Iranian queen
Qabaj Khatun was the wife of Bidun, the Muslim ruler of Bukhara in Central Asia. Her husband died (674) and Qabaj ruled as regent for their infant son Tugshada for fifteen years. Not long afterwards her forces were defeated by those of the Arab general ‘Ubayd Allah bint Ziyad, and the queen was forced to supply tribute. Qabaj is said to have become romantically attached to the Muslim leader Sa’id bint Uthman, who sent her gifts after she sent him some medicine during an illness.
Qalhata – (fl. c700 – c670 BC)
Queen consort of Egypt
A member of the XXVth Dynasty (721 – 656 BC), she was one of the daughters of King Piye (Piankhy). A surviving Assyrian inscription records Qalhata as one of the five sisters of Taharka of Napata, who succeeded Piye as king of Egypt, and she married King Shabaka by whom she was the mother of King Tanutamun, who mentions her on his so-called ‘Dream Stelae.’ She and her husband held their court at Memphis. Her tomb at El-Kurru, south of Nubia, and near Napata, has been excavated and her decorated burial chamber uncovered.
Qamar al-Molouk – (1904 – 1995)
Iranian princess
Born Touran Amirsoleimani Saltaneh, she was the daughter of Issa Majd al Saltaneh, a prominent public figure. Touran became the third wife (1922) of Reza Sha Pahlavi (1878 – 1944) who became Shah (king) of Iran in 1925, and adopted the royal name of Qamar al-Molouk. She bore him a son Prince Ghlam Reza Pahlavi (born 1923) who left issue but was divorced soon afterwards (1924). Princess Qamar survived her divorce for over seven decades.
Qernertoq – (fl. c1000 – c1400)
Eskimo poet
Qernertoq was early mediaeval author of ‘The Widow’s Song’ which was translated into English in the twentieth century. Almost nothing is known of her life.
Qi – (c1315 – c1370)
Mongol empress
Qi was born in Korea, the daughter of Gi Ja-o. She became the concubine of Khan Toghun Temur, of the Yuan dynasty, and was the mother of Khan Ayushiridar. Her Mongol name was Oljei Khutugh. With the deposition of Toghun Temur’s first empress, Danashri, because of her involvement in a failed conspiracy, the khan wished to make her empress, but his other wife, Empress Bayan, objected to this wish. With the removal of Bayan shortly afterwards, Qi became a secondary empress, and her son was later created crown prince (1353). However, her intrigues to have the throne passed to her son caused the emperor to separate from her.
The empress wielded some power in her own right, and sent troops to aid Tash Temur in his bid to become king of Gyreo in Korea (1364), though the campaign proved unsuccessful. With the death of Empress Bayan Khutlugh, Qi succeeded her as primary empress, but with the collapse of the Mongol rule in China (1368) she was forced to flee to Yingchang. With her husband’s death (1370) her son Ayushiridar succeeded as king in Yingchang, and she became Empress Dowager. She appears to have died soon afterwards.
Qi ‘the Benign’ – (c220 – 194 BC)
Chinese concubine
Qi was born at Dingtao in Shandong province. She entered the Imperial palace and became the favourite of Liu Bang, later Han Gaozu, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty. Qi was the mother of Liu Ruyi, who was created prince of Zhao. Emperor Han Gaozu considered his eldest son Liu Ying and unstable, and thus unsuited to rule, and tried to have Qi’s son made his successor. In this he was strongly opposed by the Empress Dowager Lu Zhi, Liu Ying’s mother.
With Gaozu’s death, Liu Ruyi went to rule his principality, whilst his mother remained in the Imperial household. The Empress Dowager then had Ruyi recalled to the capital and poisoned whilst she had Qi placed in the public stock, and had her head shaven like a common criminal. She then caused the woman to be blinded, her tongue torn out, and her hands and feet chopped off, and abandoned her in a privy to die ignominiously.
Qian – (c1429 – 1468)
Chinese empress
Qian was the wife of Emperor Zhengtong (Tianshun) (1427 – 1464). Married c1445, Qian accompanied her husband during his enforced exile from 1449 – 1457, when they were forced to reside under house arrest by the Mongol conquerors. Upon his restoration to the throne, Qian was honoured by her husband for her wifely devotion, commanding that she be buried beside him at her death, despite the fact that she had remained childless. After Zhengtong’s death in 1464, Qian disputed the title of empress dowager with Zhou, the mother of the Emperor Chenghua.
Qiang – (c310 – 356 AD)
Chinese empress
Qiang was sister to the Imperial adviser Qiang Ping, she was the wife of Fu Jian (Jingming), the founding emperor of the Qin dynasty. She was the wife of Fu Jian whilst he was heir apparent to his father Fu Hong, an important Qin chieftain and general, and bore him three sons. When her husband took the princely title (351 AD), Qiang became known as Tian Wanghou (Heavenly Princess), and was created empress the following year when he husband abbrogated the Imperial titles and power for himself (352 AD).
With the death of her eldest son, Crown Prince Fu Chang in battle (354 AD), the empress wanted the throne for her youngest son, Fu Liu to be next emperor, but it went instead to her second, the violent Fu Sheng (355 AD). Qiang was honoured as Empress Dowager during Fu Sheng’s reign. However, when her brother, Qiang Ping remonstrated with the emperor over a barbaric punishment he wished to impose on certain rebels, the emperor fractured Qiang’s skull on the spot, and ordered his immediate execution. The Dowager Empress retired from public and died soon afterwards. Qiang is sometimes known by the more formal Imperial name of Mingde (‘the understanding and virtuous empress’).
Qibtiyya, Maria – (c609 – 637)
Coptic Christian slave
Also known as Maria the Copt, the Imperial Byzantine official, Muqawqis, sent her to the Islamic leader, Muhammad as a gift (628 AD). Arab sources state she was Muhammad’s wife, but this is not certain, and Qibtiyya may have remained his concubine. Their only son Ibrahim died a child, and she survived Muhammad only five years.
Qlejjgha, Vincenza della – (1806 – 1891)
Maltese peeress
Vincenza della Qlejjgha was the elder daughter of Ignazio Bonici, third Baron della Qlejjgha and his wife Anna Maria Testaferrata dei Marchesi di San Vincenzo Ferreri. She married (1833) Pietro Paolo Galea-Feriol, Baron della San Marciano, but left no issue. Vincenza inherited the barony of Qlejjgha at her father’s death when she was only three years old (1809) and held it until her own death over eighty years later. At her death it passed to her nephew, Emanuele Testaferrata-Bonici-Ghaxaq, sixth Marquis di San Vincenzo Ferreri (1843 – 1903).
Quadragesima – (c105 – c130 AD)
Roman Christian martyr
Quadragesima was an unmarried woman who had remained a virgin after her conversion. She refused to renounce her religion and is said to have perished during the persecution instituted by the Emperor Hadrian (117 – 138 AD). Quadragesima was honoured by the church as a virgin saint (May 4). Her remains are reported to have been discovered at Cagliari in Sardinia (Feb, 1626).
Quadratilla, Calpurnia – (fl. c170 – c200 AD)
Roman patrician
Calpurnia Quadratilla was probably the daughter of Calpurnius Quadratus, Imperial procurator of Asturias and Galicia in the Spanish province of Lusitania, and his wife Justina, and was perhaps related to senator Gaius Seius Calpurnius Quadratus Sittianus, the proconsul of Gallia Narbonensis. Quadratilla was the wife of Gaius Arrius Antoninus, consul suffect (170 AD) and Imperial legate of Cappodocia in Asia Minor, and later proconsul of Asia (c185 AD) during the reign of Emperor Commodus. She left two sons, Gaius Arrius Antoninus, and Gaius Arrius Quadratus, and was grandmother to Gaius Arrius Calpurnius Frontinus Honoratus, patron of the city of Antiochiae Pisidiae.
Quadratilla, Ummidia see Ummidia Quadratilla
Quagliotti, Winnie – (1932 – 1988)
Australian aboriginal spokeswoman
A relative of William Barak, chief of the Wurundjeri tribe, Winnie was raised on Coranderrk station in Victoria, and moved to the Dandenong region as a young married woman. There she established herself as a spokesperson for her people becoming a chairperson of the Aboriginal Housing Board and a founding member of the Dandenong Aboriginal Cooperative. Quagliotti also established the Burrai Child Care Centre and the Aboriginal Family Aid Sipport Unit. Winnie Quagliotti died at Dandenong.
Quaile, Elizabeth – (1874 – 1951)
Irish-American piano teacher
Quaile was born in Omagh, and studied music with Franklin Robinson in New York. For three years she was head teacher of the piano department of the David Mannes School (1916 – 1919) before completing further studies under Harold Bauer in Paris. Quaile co-founded the Diller-Quaile School of Music in New York with Angela Diller (1921), and was the author of several highly regarded piano guides for students including A Pre-Czerny Book and First Book of Technical Exercises. Elizabeth Quaile died (June 30, 1951) aged seventy-seven, in South, Kent, Connecticut.
Quaranta, Isabella – (1892 – 1975)
Italiam silent film actress
She was born Isabella Maria Rosa Teresa Quaranta (Dec 30, 1892) in Turin, Piedmont. She was younger sister to actress, Lydia Quaranta and twin sister of Letizia Quaranta. She appeared in one silent film Romanticismo (1915). Isabella Quaranta died (April 3, 1975) aged eighty-two, in Milan.
Quaranta, Letizia – (1892 – 1977)
Italian film actress
Born Letizia Beatrice Giuseppina Angela Quaranta (Dec 30, 1892) in Turin, Piedmont, she was twin sister to Isabella Quaranta, and younger sister to Lydia Quaranta. Letizia began her career in silent films at the age of twenty, and was married (1921) to the noted director, Carlo Campogalliani (1885 – 1974).
Quaranta‘s earlier silent films included Nerone e Agrippina (1913), in which she portrayed the ill-fated Empress Octavia, Hedda Gabler (1919), Un Simpatico mascalzone (1921) and La Mujer de medianoche (1925), which was released in Brazil, South America as A Esposa do Solteiro. She survived the advent of sound, and appeared in La Lanterna del diavalo (The Devil’s Lantern) (1931), Musica proibita (Forbidden Music) (1942) in which she appeared as the Marchesa Beatrice Melzi. After making L’Orfana del ghetto (Orphan of the Ghetto) (1954) she retired from the screen. Letizia Quaranta died (Jan 9, 1977) aged eighty-four, in Rome.
Quaranta, Lydia – (1891 – 1928)
Italian silent film actress
Lydia was born in Turin, Piedmont, and was elder sister to actresses Letizia and Isabella Quaranta. Her first film role was in I Cavalieri della Morte, Dopo la Battaglia (1910), but she was especially remembered for her appearance in the Italian classic silent film Cabiria (1914). Other films included Nel Votice del Peccato (1916), Notte di Nozze (1918), Fiamma (1919) and Una Donna passo (1922). Her last film role was in Voglio tradire mio Marito (1925). Lydia Quaranta died aged thirty-six.
Quarre, Mary – (1651 – 1728)
British Quaker figure
Mary Stevens was the daughter of Jeremiah Stevens, a malt-maker, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and was raised a Quaker. She was married (1676) to the noted clockmaker and Quaker Daniel Quarre (1648 – 1721), of Croydon, Surrey. Mary and her husband were members of the Quaker community of Devonshire House. The marriage of her daughter Elizabeth (1715) was attended by Sarah Churchill, the famous Duchess of Marlborough, and favourite of Queen Anne. The duchess signed the marriage register.
Her husband’s will left Mary nearly three thousand pounds annually, and all his household goods, both in London, and from their country residence at Croydon, as well as ‘the two gold watches she usually wears, one of them being a repeater and the other a plain watch.’ After the death of Daniel Quarre, Mary resided with her eldest son Jeremiah and his family in Lime Street, in the parish of St Dionis Backchurch, in London, until her death (Nov 4, 1728), aged seventy-seven. Her four children were,
Quarrier, Isabella – (c1833 – 1904)
Scottish civic activist
Isabella Hunter was the daughter of a Mrs Hunter, a shop-keeper from Glasgow, and married (1856) the noted philanthropist William Quarrier (1829 – 1903). With her husband she was co-founder of the ‘Orphan Homes of Scotland,’ and was actively involved in work improving the lives of street children. The couple provided homes to care for children afflicted by consumption and epilepsy. Isabella Quarrier died (June 22, 1904) aged about seventy.
Quarta Hostilia – (c220 – 179 BC)
Roman poisoner
Quarta Hostilia was married firstly to Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, who served as consul for four terms, and to whom she bore a son, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus junior. Her second husband was the consul Cnaeus Calpurnius Piso. Quarta Hostilia caused her second husband to be poisoned in order to advance the career her son Flaccus, by creating a vacancy in the senate, he having failed to be elected twice already. He succeeded his stepfather as consul in 179 BC. Livy records that the affair created quite a scandal. When her crime was detected witnesses came forward to testify that she had assured her son of success if he ran for election again. Quarta Hostilia was handed over to her family for judgement. They ordered her to be strangled, which sentence was duly carried out.
Quartia – (d. c177 AD)
Roman Christian martyr
Quartia was amongst those arrested and killed because of their adherence to the Christian faith at Lyons in Gaul, during the persecution initiated by the emperor Marcus Aurelius, together with Blandina and many others. The church venerates the group of martyrs together (June 2).
Quartilla, Annia – (fl. c80 – c100 AD)
Roman Imperial patrician
A prominent courtier under the emperors Titus (79 – 81 AD) and Domitian (81 – 96 AD), Annia Quartilla was the daughter of Appius Annius Marsus, a senator during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian (69 – 79 AD). Quartilla was the wife of Galeo Tettienus Severus Marcus Eppuleius Proclus Ti. Caepio Hispo, consul (102 AD) under Emperor Trajan and later proconsul of Asia (118 AD). She was attested by a surviving inscription from Perusinum (Perusia), Italy.
Quartilla of Sorrento – (d. c303 AD)
Roman Christian martyr
Quartilla was arrested as a Christian and refused to abjure her faith and sacrifice to the Roman gods. She was put to death at Sorrento with Quinctus and Quintilla, and several other Christians, probably during the persecutions of the emperors Diolcetian and Maximian Daia, though this remains uncertain, and they may have actually perished under Traianus Decius (249 – 251 AD). Quartilla was listed in the Roman Martyrology and was venerated as a saint (March 19).
Quartillosia – (d. c303 AD)
Graeco-Roman Christian martyr
Quartillosia was a native of Africa, and perished during the persecutions initiated by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian Daia. She died with Montarius, and is mentioned in his Acts, recorded in the Acta Sanctorum. Quartillosia was venerated as a saint (Feb 24).
Quast, Anna – (fl. 1632 – 1640)
Dutch painter
Born Annette Sphinters and was married (1632) to fellow artist Peeter Jansz Quast, who wasted their fortune and died young. Anna’s one surviving work Still Life With Butterfly (1640) was only identified as hers in the twentieth century.
Quayle, Jessie Rita – (1894 – 1932)
Australian nurse
Quayle was born at Buladelah in New South Wales, the daughter of British immigrant Robert Grant Quayle. Jessie trained as a nurse at the Children’s Hospital in Sydney, and was employed there as a ward sister, working mainly with children afflicted with tuberculosis. She was later employed by a convalescent home in Collaroy, North Sydney, before taking her final appointment (1927 – 1932) at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. Quayle remained unmarried. Jessie Quayle died (Sept 10, 1932) aged only thirty-eight.
Qudsia Begum – (c1770 – 1834)
Indian Mughal queen and ruler
Qudsia Begum was the daughter of Ghaus Muhammad Khan, and then became the wife of Nazar Muhammad Khan, who succeeded as Nawab (ruler) of the state of Bhopal (1816). With the death of her husband in an accident (1818), Qudsia Begum acted as regent for her husband’s nephew, Munir Muhammad Khan, who was betrothed to her own daughter, Sikander Begum. When Munir resigned the throne in favour of his younger brother Jahangir, Qudsia Begum remained regent, but the political situation grew son unstable that the British intervened and the queen was removed from power. She retired to private life on a generous pension.
Quebriac, Comtesse de see Chateaubourg, Comtesse de
Quedens, Eunice see Arden, Eve
‘Queen of Bohemia’ see McElheney, Jane
‘Queen Emma’ see Coe, Emma Eliza
Queensberry, Cathleen, Marchioness of see Mann, Cathleen Sabine
Queensberry, Katherine Hyde, Duchess of – (1701 – 1777)
British celebrated society beauty
Lady Katherine Hyde was the daughter of Henry Hyde, Earl of Clarendon and his wife Jane Leveson-Gower, and married (1720) Charles Douglas, third Duke of Queensberry (1698 – 1778). The duchess patronised and corresponded with the poets John Gay and Jonathon Swift, and was one of the most celebrated women of her day. Famous for her balls and masquerades, as well as her eccentric behaviour, whilst Gay lived under her roof, she wrote him a long series of composite letters, in which each took the pen in turn to Swift. Her influence over William Pitt was said to be very powerful, and among those whose could claim her friendship were William Congreve, Alexander Pope, Prior and Whiteheade, all of whom, except Congreve, alluded to her in their verses. The duchess died (July 17, 1777) in London, from eating a surfeit of cherries.
Queensberry, Sibyl Montgomery, Marchioness of – (1848 – 1935)
British aristocrat, courtier of Queen Victoria, and society figure
Sybil Montgomery was the first wife of John Sholto Douglas (1844 – 1900), ninth Marquess of Queensberry, to whom she bore several children. The couple were later divorced, principally because of Lady Queensberry’s unwavering support for her favourite son Lord Alfred Douglas known as ‘Bosie,’ and famous for his homosexual association with the flamboyant writer, Oscar Wilde. A notorious trial enused, Wilde was sent to prison, whilst Lord Alfred went abroad. Some of Lady Queensberry’s correspondence has survived.
Queeny, Mary - (1913 - 2003)
Lebanese actress and producer
Born Mary Boutros Younis in Lebanon into a Christian family, she was niece to to the actress and film producer Assia Dagher (1912 - 1986) and was related to the writer and journalist Asaad Dagher. Mary was raised in Cairo in Egypt by her mother.
She made her film debut in Desert Belle (1929), which was followed by roles in Pangs of Conscience (1931) and When a Woman Loves (1933), adopting the professional name of Mary Queeny.
Miss Queeny appeared in about twenty films, and was the first Egyptian actress to appear on the screen without a veil. She appeared in Bewitching Eyes (1934) and her first leading role was in Rebellious Girl (1940). Her other film credits included Magda (1944), The Seventh Wife (1950), Sacrificing My Love (1951) and Women Without Conscience (1953) which was directed by Youssef Chahine (1926 - 2008).
Queeny became the wife of the noted director Ahmed Galal and was the mother of the director Nader Galal (born 1941). She retired from the screen in 1953 and later founded and ran the colour film processing business (1958 - 1963). Queeny herself produced several films such as Son of the Nile (1951), Aquazet seif (1967) and Awlad al-halal (1978). Mary Queeny died (Nov 25, 2003) aged ninety, in Cairo.
Queiros, Dina Silveira de – (1911 – 1983)
Brazilian novelist, dramatist and journalist
Born Dina Silveira de Castro Alves she adopted Queiros as her pseudonym. She made an impact with the publication of her first novel Floradas na serra (Blossoming in the Mountains) (1939), a romance centred in a mental sanitorium, which was later made into a film (1955). Queiros was married to a diplomat and took every opportunity to showcase and promote Brazilian culture abroad. She was the second woman to be elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters.
Her novel A Muralha (The Barricade) (1954) was made into a television movie. Her other works included Margarida La Rocque (A ilha dos demonios) (Margarida La Roque, The Island of Demons) (1949), Eles herdarao a terra (They Will Inherit the Earth) (1960), Verao dos infieis (Summer of the Unfaithful) (1968) and Guida, carissima Guida (Guida, Dearest Guida) (1981).
Queiroz, Rachel de – (1910 – 2003)
Brazilian writer and journalist
Raquel de Queiroz was born (Nov 17, 1910) at Sfortaleza, in the Ceara region. Her family resided in Rio de Janeiro for several years during her childhood before returning to live in Sfortaleza. She then attended the College of the Immaculate Conception there. Rachel worked as a newspaper journalist, and composed modernist poems using the pseudonym ‘Rita de Queluz.’ She achieved fame in Brazil with award winning romantic novel O Quinze (The Fifteenth)(1930) and was particularly admired for her skilfull psychological analysis of her characters, and her detailed knowledge of social issues.
Queiroz later removed to Rio De Janiero and was awarded the Oliveira Prize for her novel, A Tres Marias (The Three Marias) (1939). Other works included Joao Miguel (1932), Caminho de pedras (The Rocky Path) (1937), and O galo de ouro (The Golden Cockerel) (1950). Queiroz then wrtote little for over four decades until she published her family saga entitled Memorial of Maria Moura (1992). She was the first woman to enter the Brazilian Academy of Letters (1977). She left a volume of memoirs entitled As Many Years (1998). Rachel de Queiroz died (Nov 4, 2003) aged ninety-two.
Quelen de Stuer de Caussade, Pauline de – (1783 – 1829)
French-Italian aristocrat and émigré
Born Paule Antoinette Benedicte Marie de Quelen de Stuer (May 14, 1783), she was the daughter of the French peer, Paul Francois de Quelen de Stuer de Caussade, second Duc de la Vauguyon, and his wife, Antoinette Rosalie, the daughter of Charles Armand de Pons, Comte de Roquefort. Pauline emigrated with her family at the outbreak of the Revolution, and was raised in Italy.
Pauline became the wife (1810) of Prince Giuseppe of Savoy-Carignano (1783 – 1825), who was granted the title of Conte di Villafranca and was also known as the Chevalier de Savoie, the nephew of Vittorio Amadeo II of Savoy, Prince of Carignano (1778 – 1780). Pauline bore her husband’s title, and their children were all regarded as legitimate members of the House of Savoy. Pauline, called Paola by the Piedmontese, survived her husband as Dowager Contessa di Villafranca (1825 – 1829). The contessa died (Feb 10, 1829) aged forty-five. She left three children,
Queluz, Rita de see Queiroz, Rachel de
Quenburh (Coenburh) – (c613 – c664)
Anglo-Saxon queen consort
Quenburh was the daughter of Cynegils, King of Wessex (611 – 643). She was married (c625 – 630) to Oswald (605 – 642), King of Northumbria (633 – 642) and adopted the surname ‘Bebba’ in honour of her husband’s ancestor, Bearnoch, wife of King Ida of Bernicia, the founder of the Northumbrian dynasty. Quenburh was baptised as a Christian with the rest of her family by Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester (635), and was herself greatly respected because of her ascetic, frugal, and charitable manner of life she observed when not performing her royal duties.
Oswald was killed at the battle of Maserfield, and the queen obtained permission from Cadwallon of Wales to inter his remains in the city of Bebbanburgh. She then founded the abbey of Winnington in Gloucester, and served as first abbess of that foundation. At her death, which perhaps occurred during the great plague epidemic, she was succeeded as abbess by her sister Egburga, who had been a nun under her rule. Her only child, Ethelwald, became king of Deira in Northumbria and died young. His daughter Matilda of Deira, became the first wife of the Merovingian king of Neustria, Dagobert II (675 – 679), and this made Quenburh an ancestress of the Carolingian Emperor Charlemagne (800 – 814).
Quendreda see Cwenthryth
Quennell, Marjorie - (1884 - 1972)
British illustrator of children's books
Marjorie Courtney became the wife of the architect Charles Quennell (1872 - 1935). She was the mother of the biographer and critic Sir Peter Quennell (1905 - 1993). Together with her husband she produced the four volume series A History of Everyday Things in England (1918 - 1934).
Marjorie Quennell illsutrated the works of other authors including Disappearing Islands (1944) by Elisabeth Kyle, Everyday Life in New Testament Times (1953) by A.C. Bouquet, and Everyday Life of Old Testament Times (1957) by E.W. Heaton.
During her widowhood Marjorie served as the curator of the Geffrye Museum in Kingsland Road in London (1935 - 1940), after which she retired to reside in the USA.
Quenouille, La see Foott, Mary Hannay
Querelles, Hortense Louise Francoise de Beauharnais, Comtesse de – (1812 – 1851)
French royal
Hortense de Beauharnais was born (July 11, 1812) in Paris, the second daughter of Francois de Beauharnais, second Marquis de La Ferte-Beauharnais, and his second wife Christine Louise de Cohausen, the daughter of Charles Gaspard Hubert, Baron de Cohausen. Hortense was closely related to the Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I, and she was a canoness of the chapter of St Anne in Munich, Bavaria (1829) before she was married firstly (1840) to Henri Alexandre Sigefoy Richard, Comte de Querelles (1808 – 1846). With his death she was Dowager Comtesse de Querelles (1846 – 1851). She remarried secondly, and briefly to Francois Armand Rupert Laity (1812 – 1889), senator of the Second Empire, as his first wife.
Querner, Ursula – (1921 – 1969)
German sculptor
Ursula Querner was born in Dresden, Saxony, and was trained in wood sculpture early in her career (1939 – 1943). She also studied at the Regional School of Art in Hamburg with Edwin Scharff (1946 – 1949) and later at the Villa Massimo, in Rome, Italy (1959 – 1960). Having worked as a freelance sculptor from 1950, Querner produced busts, reliefs and public works using mainly classical themes and figures from mythology such as Orpheus und Eurydike (1958). She also produced the Oceanautin (1968) for which she drew inspiration from the undersea world. Ursula Querner died in Hamburg.
Querrette, Blanche – (fl. c1855 – 1884)
French courtesan and stage manager
Blanche Querrette was a prominent figure in demi-mondaine society under the Second Empire. With the advance of age Querrette changed careers, and established herself as a successful theatre manager in Paris. She died in obscurity.
Quesnet, Marie Constance – (1757 – 1832)
French matron
Born Marie Constance Renelle, she and her child had been abandoned by her husband, Charles Quesnet, so he could pursue a career in colonial America. To support herself and her child, Marie Constance became an actress in Paris. Marie Constance became the companion of the infamous Alphonse Donatien, Marquis de Sade after he and the marquise became legally seperated (1790) and accompanied him on a visit to Provence (1797). Quesnet remained with the marquis until his death (1814). Their correspondence survives.
Questel, Mae – (1907 – 1998)
American actress and vocalist
Questel performed on stage, screen and vaudeville. Possessing a talent for voice imitation, she signed to be the voice of ‘Betty Boop’ (1931). Her recording of the song On the good Ship Lollipop in Betty’s voice sold more than two million copies. From 1933 – 1967 she was the voice of Olive Oyl and Sweetpea in the Popeye cartoon series.
Other cartoon voices in her repertoire included those of Little Audrey and Caspar the Friendly Ghost. Known for her imitations of film stars and singers such as Zasu Pitts, Marlene Dietrich, Fanny Brice, Rudy Vallee, and Maurice Chevalier, her films included Dr Social (1948), A Majority of One (1959) and Enter Laughing (1963). Questel later appeared in Funny Girl (1968) with Barbra Streisand and in the role of Woody Allen’s mother in his New York Stories (1989). Mae Questel died (Jan 4, 1998) aged ninety, in Manhattan, New York.
Quick, Dorothy – (1900 – 1962)
American author and dramatist
Quick produced such works as Spears into Life (1938), To What Strange Altar (1940), Interludes (1953), Cry in the Night (1957) and Enchantment (1961). She also wrote the play One Night in Holyrood (1949). Dorothy Quick died (March 15, 1962) aged sixty-one.
Quick, Winnifred Vera – (1904 – 2002)
Anglo-American disaster survivor
Winnifred Quick was born (Jan 23, 1904) at Plymouth in England, the daughter of a plasterer. Her father immigrated to Detroit in Michigan, USA in order to establish himself (1910) and two years afterwards sent for his wife and two daughters, Winnifred and Phyllis to join him. They embarked together at Southampton aboard the Titanic (1912) as second class passengers.
After the ship struck the iceberg Mrs Quick dressed to go on deck to find out what was happening but a steward came by and told her to wake the children, put on their lifebelts, and then escorted the family on deck. The family was then placed together in Lifeboat 11, after the guard had initially said there was room for only the children. Mrs Quick insisted they stay together in the lifeboat or they would remain aboard and he relented and allowed the mother to join her daughters. Rescued by the arrival of the Carpathia the two sisters were hauled aboard in sacks. Her father in America had received a wireless message which announced the survival of his family and was waiting at New York to meet them and travelled on to Detroit.
Winnifred finished her education in Detroit and was then employed as a department store sales clerk. She was married (1923) to a carpenter named Alois Van Tongerloo and bore him five children. Her childhood experience had left her with a firm fear of deep water and she remained aloof from all gatherings and conventions attended by Titanic survivors. Winnifred Van Tobgerloo died (July 4, 2002) aged ninety-eight, in East Lansing, Michigan.
Quidde, Margarethe – (1858 – 1940)
German musician and writer
Margarethe Jacobson was born in Konigsberg, the daughter of the prominent opthalmologist Julius Jacobson. She studied the piano and violincello in Berlin and later in Italy under the tutelage of Alfredo Carlo Piatti. Having performed with great success in Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, she married the eminent historian Ludwig Quidde (1882) with whom she founded the Anti-Vivisection Society in Munich, Bavaria (1890). Her published works included Gesetzgebung und Wissenschaft (1883), and later in her career Quidde worked as a translator from English, French, and Italian. Margarethe Quidde died (April 25, 1940) aged eighty-one, in Munich.
Quieta (Queta) – (d. c450 AD)
Gallo-Roman Christian saint
Quieta was the wife of Hilarius, a senator from Dijon in Burgundy, and bore him several children, including Johannes (John), Abbot of Reome. With the death of her husband (c449 AD), Quieta survived him barely a year, and died herself (Nov 28, c450 AD). She was buried beside Hilarius in the church of St John at Dijon. The Gynaceum states that when she was being interred her husband’s corpse stretched out his rights hand and drew her body to him in a loving embrace. Quieta was venerated as a saint (Nov 28).
Quigley, Janet Muriel Alexander – (1902 – 1987)
British radio announcer
Janet Quigley became the second wife (1942) of the noted writer and mountaineer Kevin Fitzgerald (1902 – 1993). She worked at the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and was the driving force behind the ever popular radio program Woman’s Hour and the Today program which began in 1957.
Qui Jin (Ch’iu Chin) – (1875 – 1907)
Chinese poet and revolutionary
Qui Jin was born into a middle class family, and received an equal and enlightened education at home. Her marriage (1896) with an older man did not work out, and she left him (1903) to travel and study in Japan. There she became involved in the struggle for women’s rights and agitated for improved access to education, and wrote articles concerning admirable and historical Chinese historical figures. Qui Jin returned to China (1906) and became involved with the publishing of a feminist magazine, which encouraged woman to gain their own financial independence outside the home, and not rely on family or government ideals.
Qui Jin greatly abhorred the ancient practice of foot-binding, though the practice was very entrenched. Wanting to bring about a more democratic Western style of government, she worked secretly with her cousin Hsu Hsi-lin and other revolutionaries to bring about the fall of the Manchu dynasty. However, Hsu Hsi-lin confessed under interrogation and was executed. A week later (July 12, 1907) Qui Jin was arrested at the school for girls where she was the principal. She refused to confess, but incriminating documents were found and she was beheaded. She was revered by the Chinese as a heroine and revolutionary martyr, and a symbol of the female fight for independence.
Quilsinda – (c620 – 650)
Merovingian nun
Quilsinda trained for the convent life under Burgundofara (Fara), the abbess of Faremoutiers, near Brie. Though unable to write she could recite the Gospels, the Epistles of St Paul, and other religious works from memory. She predeceased her saintly teacher and was herself revered as a saint (Jan 20).
Quilter, Mary Ann Bevington, Lady – (1844 – 1927)
British baronetess (1897 – 1911)
Mary Ann Bevington was the daughter of John Wheeley Bevington, of Brighton. She became the wife (1867) of Sir William Cuthbert Quilter (1841 – 1911), first baronet (1897), of Bawdsey Manor, Bawdsey, in Suffolk. She survived her husband fifteen years as Dowager Lady Quilter (1911 – 1927). Lady Quilter died (Sept 12, 1927) aged eighty-three. Her seven children,
Quimburg see Cwenburh
Quimby, Edith Hinkley – (1891 – 1982)
American radiologist and physicist
Edith Hinkley was born in Rockford, Illinois and married Shirley M. Quimby, professor emeritus of physics at Columbia University. In 1919 Edith began studying the therapeutic use of x-rays and radium in collaboration with Dr Gioacchino Failla, the famous physicist. Edith was principally concerned with the precise dosages of radium, so as to present the patient with the least side-effects as possible from his or her treatment. From 1934 – 1960 she served as professor emeritus of radiology at Columbia University. She was awarded the Janeway Medal of the American Radium Society (1940) the first time a woman had received that honour. Edith Hinckley Quimby died (Oct 11, 1982) aged ninety-one, in Manhattan, New York.
Quimby, Harriet – (1875 – 1912)
American aviatrix and journalist
Harriet Quimby was born (May 1, 1875) in Coldwater, Michigan, and was raised on a farm. Originally intending to become an actress, she had moved to California and later New York by 1903. Quimby was employed as a photo journalist and drama critic by Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly (1903 – 1912). She travelled, wrote extensively on varying subjects, and became the first woman to gain her pilot’s license in America (1911), having taken flying lessons at the Moisant School of Aviation at Hempstead, Long Island. Harriet became the first woman to cross the English Channel (April 16, 1912) landing at Hardelot in France. At an aviation exhibition near Quincy, Massachusetts (July 1, 1912) Harriet and a passenger died over Dorchester Bay, near Boston, when their plane unaccountably lurched forward, and they were thrown out. She was unmarried. The US Airmail dedicated 50 cent stamp in her memory.
Quin, Ann – (1936 – 1973)
British author
Quin was born into a working class family, and was convent educated. She was employed as a shorthand typist and worked with a publishing company before beginning her career penning novels. Quin resided in the Soho area of London, where, during the 1960’s she came under the influence of writers such as Eva Figes, Rayner Heppenstall, and B.S. Johnson, with whom her own work is often favourably compared, and she was particulalry known for her experimental prose style. Her novels included Berg (1964), Three (1966), Passages (1969) and Tripticks (1972). Ann Quin committed suicide by drowning herself at the early age of thirty-seven.
Quin, Anne (1) – (c1643 – after 1682)
English actress
Born Anne Marshall, her father was chaplain to Lord Gerard, her mother Elizabeth Dutton. With her sister Rebecca she was an early member of the King’s Troupe (1660). Marshall appeared in roles such as Margareta in Rule a Wife and Have a Wife (1662), Mrs Diligence in The Cheats, and Celia in The Humorous Lieutenant (both 1663). Her performance in The Indian Queen (Jan, 1664) was witnessed by the diarist Samuel Pepys.
Anne married and became known professionally as Mrs Quin (1666). She appeared as Candiope in Secret Love (1667), Donna Aurelia in An Evening Love (1668), but later retired to raise a family. Quin returned to the stage (1675), rejoining the King’s Company at Drury Lane, performing as Thalestris in The Siege of Babylon, Lady Squeamish in Friendship in Fashion, and Queen Elizabeth in, The Unhappy Favourite (1681). Her last recorded stage performance was in Feb, 1682. Details of her life after this date are not available.
Quin, Anne (2) – (c1762 – 1823)
Irish peeress
Anne Quin was the daughter of a physician Henry Quin and his wife Anne Monck, the daughter of Charles Monck, of Grange Gorman. She was married firstly to Charles Stanley Monck (c1754 – 1802) second Viscount Monck and was the mother of Henry Stanley Monck (1785 – 1848) who succeeded his father as third Viscount Monck (1802 – 1848) and was the first and last Earl of Rathdowne, through whom Anne was ancestress of the Earls of Clancarty. Lady Monck then became the fourth wife (before 1811) of Sir John Craven Carden (c1749 – 1820) first baronet of Templemore, Tipperary and became Lady Carden. She survived her second husband as the Dowager Lady Carden (1820 – 1823). Lady Anne died (Dec 20, 1823).
Quin, Ellen see Kelly, Ellen
Quin, Tarella Ruth – (1877 – 1934)
Australian novelist and writer
Tarella Ruth Quin was born on the remote outback station of ‘Tarella’ in Wilcannia, New South Wales, the daughter of Edward Quin, and was educated in Adelaide, South Australia. Her married name was Daskein. For most of her married life Quin resided on the station of ‘Morden’ in north-western New South Wales, but she later retired to her birthplace (1934). She wrote about her life in the outback for the Pastoral Review in Melbourne, Victoria, using the pseudonym ‘James Dare.’ She produced several books for children such as Gum Tree Brownie (1910) and Chimney Town (1934), as well as popular novels like The Other Side of Nowhere (1934). The illustrations for her children’s books were done by the well-known artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite.
Quinault, Marie Anne Catherine – (1695 – 1791)
French vocalist and composer
Marie Anne Quinault was born (Aug 26, 1695) in Strasbourg, Alsace, the daughter of the noted actor Jean Quinault (1656 – 1728) and sister to Jean Baptiste Maurice Quinault. As Madamoiselle Quinault she made her stage debut at the Paris Opera at the age of fourteen, appearing in Lully’s Bellerophon (1709). Quinault later left the Opera and was employed by the Comedie Francaise (1714 – 1722). She composed several motets for the royal chapel at Versailles. In recognition of this service she was granted the Order of St Michel by King Louis XV, a decoration never before bestowed upon any woman. Madamoiselle Quinault died at an advanced age in Paris, during the upheavals of the French Revolution.
Quinciani, Lucia – (c1566 – after 1611)
Italian composer
Lucia Quinciani was the pupil of Marc Antonio Negri, and may have worked in Venice. She composed the monodic piece Udite lagrimosi spirti d’Averno, udite (1611) which was published in Venice, the only one of her works to survive. It was included in Negri’s Affetti amorosi (1611) with Lucia named as the composer.
Quinctia – (fl. c80 – c40 BC)
Roman freedwoman and former slave
Quinctia was the wife of Publius Quinctius, librarian and freedman of Titus from the Republican era. Together with Publius and his concubine, the freedwoman Quinctia Agatea, Quinctia was interred in a chamber tomb situated near the Via Statilia and the Via di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Rome, which was excavated in modern times (1916 – 1918). The names of all three were carved upon the façade of the tomb, together with two plain shields carved in low relief.
Quinctia Marcella – (c165 – 202 AD)
Roman Christian martyr
Quinctia Marcella and her daughter Potamioena were natives of Alexandria in Egypt. They had been converted to Christianity, but were arrested during the persecution instigated by the emperor Septimius Severus. Refusing to abjure their faith, they were condemned to death and burnt alive (June 28, 202 AD). Both women appear as saints in the Roman Martyrology and the Acta Sanctorum. Later historians mistakenly claimed them as natives of Spain.
Quinctilia, Plautia – (c35 – c55 AD)
Roman Imperial patrician
Plautia Quinctilia was a paternal family member of Plautius Quinctilius, consul ord. (159 AD). Quinctilia became the first wife (c48 AD) of Publius Helvidius Priscus (c30 – 75 AD), the famous Stoic dissenter. She appears to have died young, perhaps from the effects of childbirth. Quinctilia was the mother of Helvidius Priscus (c54 – 93 AD), consul 86 AD, who was a friend to Pliny the Younger, and was killed by the emperor Domitian (81 – 96 AD). He left descendants. Her son’s stepmother was Fannia, the daughter of Arria Minor.
Quincy, Elena de (Ela, Helena) – (c1230 – 1296)
English mediaeval heiress
Elena de Quincy was the eldest daughter and coheir of Roger de Quincy (c1195 – 1264), second Earl of Winchester, and his first wife Helena, the daughter of Alan, Earl of Galloway. Elena became the wife of Sir Alan de La Zouche (died 1270), Lord Justice of Ireland (1256 – 1258) and the first feudal Baron Zouche of Ashby la Zouche, Leicester. Her husband later succeeded to her portion of the Quincy estates (1267) in her right. She was the mother of Roger de La Zouche (c1250 – 1285) who succeeded his father as Lord Zouche, and left many descendants. Elena’s younger son Eudes de La Zouche (c1252 – 1279) became the ancestor of the Zouche family of Harringworth. Elena survived her husband for a quarter of a century and died (cAug 20, 1296).
Quincy, Eliza Susan – (1798 – 1884)
American writer
Eliza Quincy was born (Jan 15, 1798) in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of the colonial statesman Josiah Quincy and his wife Eliza Susan Morton. She never married and for nearly five decades she acted as private secretary to her father, who served as mayor of Boston and president of Harvard University. Eliza kept a private diary of her own from 1810 and wrote articles for various historical societies as well as producing a memoir of her late mother (1864). Eliza Susan Quincy died (Jan 17, 1884) aged eighty-six, at Quincy in Massachussetts.
Quincy, Eliza Susan Morton – (1773 – 1850)
American memoirist
Eliza Morton was born in New York the daughter of John Morton, a merchant of Scottish ancestry and his German born wife Maria Sophia Kemper. She became the wife (1797) of the prominent statesman, Senator Josiah Quincy (1772 – 1864) who served as mayor of Boston (1823 – 1828). Possessed of much personal charm and musical talent, and later (1821), at the request of her family, she wrote her own recollections of the Revolutionary war as she witnessed such events. Her daughter Eliza Susan Quincy produced a memoir of her (1864). Her sons included the lawyer and mayor of Boston (1845 – 1849) Josiah Quincy (1802 – 1882) and of Edmund Quincy (1808 – 1877), the author of the popular novel Wensley (1854). Eliza Morton Quincy died (Sept 1, 1850) aged seventy-seven, at Quincy in Massachussetts.
Quincy, Margaret de – (c1210 – 1266)
English medieval dynastic heiress
Margaret de Quincy was a member of the family of Saher de Quincy, earl of Winchester. Margaret was married firstly to John de Lacey (c1192 – 1240), first Earl of Lincoln (1232 – 1240), as his second wife, and became the mother of Edmund de Lacey (1230 – 1256), second Earl of Lincoln (1240 – 1256), who left descendants. The countess remarried twice more, firstly to Walter Marshall (c1199 – 1245), eighth Earl of Pembroke, and thirdly to Richard de Wilteshir (died after 1254). Her great-granddaughter, Alice de Lacey, inherited the earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury, and was married to Prince Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster, son of Edward I (1272 – 1307), as the first of her three husbands.
Quincy, Matilda de see St Liz, Matilda de
Quine, Marjorie Boynton – (1918 – 1998)
American civic activist
Marjorie Boynton was born at Putnam, Connecticut, the daughter of Augustus Swain Boynton and his wife Alice Peabody Paine. Raised at Meriden, Connecticut, she graduated from Wellesley College, Massachusetts (1942). After secretly pursuing a course in crypto-analysis she was commissioned into the US Navy, and served for several years in naval intelligence during WW II. She married (1948) the philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine (1908 – 2000), as his second wife.
For a decade (1958 – 1968) Marjorie was a member of the Beacon Hill Nursery School, and also served as a volunteer Gallery instructor at Boston’s Museum of Fine Art, which enabled her to pursue her particular interest in Egyptian hieroglyphics. She was also a member of the Harvard Musical Association and the Japanese Culture Group in Boston. Marjorie Boynton Quine died at Beacon Hill.
Quinkerke, Anees de – (fl. 1383)
Flemish tradeswoman
Anees was the wife of Jan Moens,a Flemish dyer. As a widow (1383) Anees became a member of the blue dyers guild in Ghent and apparently carried on her husband’s business.
Quinlan, Karen Anne – (1954 – 1985)
American coma victim
Her condition highlighted the ‘right to die’ issue. Karen was born (March 29, 1954) in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of an unmarried mother. She was adopted by the Catholic Quinlan family of Landing, New Jersey. Quinlan left home in 1975 and flatted with friends. It was during this period that her dieting problems began, and she ultimately collapsed after not eating for two days, and having drunken alcohol and small amounts of drugs. She was rushed to the Newton Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. However, due to an extended period of respiratory failure she had suffered irreversible brain damage, and her condition remained unresponsive and she continued in a vegetative state.
After several months her family gave up hope, and took their case to the New York Supreme Court (1976). As a result, Karen was removed from the respirator, but survived for almost another decade, being fed by a nasal tube, and being given antibiotics to prevent infection. Karen Quinlan ultimately died of pnuemonia (June 11, 1985) aged thirty-one. A television movie was later made of her life entitled Fighting For My Daughter (1995) with her parents played by Piper Laurie and Brian Keith (1921 – 1997).
Quinn, Edel Mary – (1907 – 1944)
Irish Catholic missionary and saint
Edel Quinn was born (Sept 14, 1907) at Kanturk, County Cork. She desired to enter the religious life from a young age, but was thwarted by ill-health. She was later permitted to join the Legion of Mary (1928) and worked amongst the poorest in the slum areas of Dublin. Later (1936), despite being ill with the tuberculosis which would take her life, Quinn travelled to central Africa as a missionary. Despite her enfeebled health, she never stopped working, and succeeded in establishing missions in various African states such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and in Mauritius. Edel Quinn died (May 14, 1944) in Nairobi, Kenya, aged only thirty-five. The movement to have Quinn beatified by the church was first introduced in 1956. Nearly forty years afterwards she was declared ‘venerable’ by Pope John Paul II (1994).
Quinn, Gertrude – (1883 – 1974)
American memoirist
Gertrude Quinn was the daughter of James Quinn, a prominent merchant of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Gertrude was five years old and miraculously survived the flood (May 31, 1889) caused by the collapse of the South Fork Dam, above the town, mainly due to the heroism of a labourer Maxwell McAchren. She was later prevented from attending McAchren’s funeral by her family, because of the difference in their backgrounds, but she herself never forgot his heroism. Gertrude later married a man named Slattery, and wrote an account of her experiences at the request of her grandchildren entitled Johnstown and Its Flood (1936).
Quinn, Vernon – (1881 – 1962)
American traveller and author
Born Elizabeth Vernon Quinn in Waldorf, Maryland, she travelled extensively, both overland and by sea, throughout the USA and Canada, Mexico and parts of Africa. Quinn wrote memoirs of her adventures under such titles as Beautiful America (1923), Beautiful Mexico (1924) and Beautiful Canada (1925). Quinn also wrote Roots: Their Place in Life and Legend (1938), Pageant of the Seven Seas (1948), as well as the Picture Map Geography of Canada and Alaska (1944) and the Picture Map Geography of Africa (1952). Vernon Quinn dued (March 21, 1962) aged eighty-one.
Quinquet, Edmee Helene de – (c1525 – c1560)
French mediaeval heiress
Edmee de Quinquet was the daughter of Guillaume de Quinquet, Seigneur de Montiffault (died 1547), and his wife, Edmee de Courtenay (1483 – 1561), Dame de La Chesne de La Vieille-Ferte. Edmee became the second wife (1547) of Francois I de Courtenay (1495 – 1561), Seigneur de Bleneau de Champignelles, to whom she bore several children. Dame Edmee was living in 1560, when she gave birth to her seventh and last child, but it remains uncertain whether she survived Francois. Her children were,
Quinta – (d. 249 AD)
Graeco-Roman Christian martyr
Quinta was a native of Alexandria in Egypt. During the perscution initiated by the emperor Traianus Decius (249 – 251 AD) Quinta was seized and ordered to worship at a pagan temple. When she refused she was tied by the feet and dragged over rough pavements till her tormentors reached outside the city walls, and there Quinta was stoned to death. The aged deaconess Apollonia (patron saint of those afflicted with toothache) perished during this same persecution. Quinta is recorded in the Acta Sanctorum, though the date of her veneration has been lost.
Quinta, Claudia – (fl. 204 BC)
Roman Republican patrician
Sometimes incorrectly called a Vestal virgin, Claudia Quinta was the daughter of Publius Claudius Pulcher, consul (249 BC), and was perhaps the granddaughter of Appius Claudius Caecus, consul (307 BC). When the vessel conveying the image of the goddess Cybele (Kybele) from Pessinus to Rome had stuck fast in the shallow mouth of the Tiber river, on its’ way to the temple of Victory on the Palatine Hill, the soothsayers announced that only a chaste woman could move the ship. Quinta, who had previously been accused of marital inconstancy, took hold of the rope, and vessel followed her.
This version of the story belongs to Livy. Suetonius’ version was that Quinta prayed publicly for the vessel to refloat, and that the gods granted her prayer. The Romans caused a statue of Claudia Quinta to be set up in the vestibule of the temple of Juno (Hera) when it was dedicated (191 BC), and it was still there during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius (14 – 37 AD) and, according to Tacitus, it was twice spared by fires that had rage close by. This was said to acknowledge that the Claudian family were honoured by the gods.
Quintanilla, Selena – (1971 – 1995)
Mexican-American popular vocalist
Known as the ‘queen’ of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla was born (April 16, 1971), at Lake Jackson, Texas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She sang from an early age, and released her first album Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984) at the age of twelve. Quintanilla received the Female Vocalist of the Year Award (1987) at the Tejano Music Awards, and was signed up for a contract with EMI a few years afterwards.
Her talent and beauty ensured that her fame was prodigious in Spanish speaking nations, and she became an incredibly popular performer. She received a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American for her album Selena Live? (1993), and her album Amor Prohibido was nominated for another (1994). One of her best known songs was ‘Como La Flor’ (1993). She opened two of her own successful designer clothing boutiques under the name of Selena Inc. (1994)
Selena, who was sometimes known by her first name alone, made a cameo appearance in the romantic comedy film Don Juan DeMarco (1995). She was tragically murdered (March 31, 1995) aged only twenty-three, by Yolanda Saldivar, an employer who organized her fan club, who had been detected stealing by Quintanilla’s family. Two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, governor of Texas (later president 2000 – 2008) declared her birthday to be officially known as ‘Selena Day’ in Texas. Warner Brothers Studios later made a film of her life entitled Selena (1997) with Jennifer Lopez in the starring role.
Quintasket, Christine see Mourning Dove
Quintia Crispilla – (fl. c230 – 238 AD)
Roman Augusta (238 AD)
Quintia Crispilla was the wife of the Emperor Pupienus Maximus (c177 – 238 AD). She was his wife and consort at his death, and she is attested as empress by surviving coins. She was probably the mother of the emperor’s daughter, Sextia Cethegilla, who was comemmorated by an inscription put up by two of her freedmen at Volaterrae in Etruria. The historian Quintus Cinna Cocceius recorded that the empress accompanied her elderly husband to Aquileia.
Whilst at Aquileia Maximinus Thrax laid seige to the city, and threatened to slaughter all behind the gates once his forces had stormed the city. All classes and sexes of society assisted bravely with the defence of the city, as all had common cause. At one point, the cords needed for running the defensive machinery behind the walls ran out, so the Empress led the other women of Aquileia and they all cut off their long hair for the soldiers to use, and the Imperial cause prevailed. Back in Rome the senate caused a temple to be built and dedicated to the goddess Venus, on behalf of the brave women of Aquileia, and a medal was struck in honour of the Empress, which portrayed her with hair cut short.
Quintianilla of Specia – (d. c303 AD)
Graeco-Roman Christian martyr
Quintianilla probably perished during the persecutions instigated by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian Daia, though the geographical location of Specia cannot now be identified. Her name may actually have been Cantionilla. She was recorded as a saint in the Acta Sanctorum (June 14).
Quintigerna see Kentigerna
Quintilia – (c80 – c59 BC)
Roman Republican patrician and literary figure
Quintilia was the wife of Gaius Licinius Calver Macer, the noted orator and poet. Quintilia died young, to the enormous grief of her husband. One of the poems addressed to Calvus by his friend the poet Catallus, was written to console the orator for his loss, and he observed that ‘… even in the grave she perhaps feels your grief, and rejoices that you love her still.’ Propertius recorded that Calvus wrote a poem in memory of Quintilia, but it has not survived.
Quintin, Beatrix de – (c1376 – c1414)
French mediaeval heiress
Beatrix de Thouars was the daughter of Rainald de Thouars, Seigneur de Pouzages and de Tiffauges, and his wife Catherine de Loheac. She was married (before 1395) to Geoffrey IV du Perrier (died 1428), Seigneur de Quintin, and was the mother of Seigneur Tristan de Quintin (c1410 – 1482). Her son’s guardian was Arthur III, Duke of Brittany. Tristan died without issue. Beatrix was the paternal grandmother of Jeanne de Quintin.
Quintin, Jeanne de – (c1440 – 1504)
French mediaeval heiress
Jeanne was the daughter and heir of Tristan du Perrier, Comte de Quintin. She inherited the barony of Quintin in Brittany prior to the death of her father (1482), and her second husband Jean de Montferrat-Laval, held the title in her right before his death (1476). With her death the fief of Quintin ultimately passed to the Rieux, Sainte-Maure and La Tremoille families.
Quintin, Plesou de – (fl. c1400)
French heiress
Plesou du Perrier was the daughter of Geoffrey III du Perrier, Seigneur de Quintin in Brittany, and was sister to Seigneur Geoffrey IV (died 1428). Plesou was married to Geoffrey, Seigneur du Perrier and their son Jean du Perrier (died 1461) became Comte de Quintin in his mother’s right (1461).
Quintin-Lorges, Genevieve Fremont, Duchesse de – (1658 – 1727)
French patrician and courtier
Genevieve Fremont was the daughter of Nicolas I Fremont, seigneur d’Auneuil and his second wife Genevieve, the daughter of Claude Damond. Genevieve was married (1676) to Guy Aldonce de Durfort (1630 – 1702), Duc de Quintin-Lorges (1691 – 1702). The duchesse inherited the valuable fief of Auneuil, and was the mother-in-law of the court memoirist, the famous Duc de Saint-Simon, the husband of her daughter Marie Gabrielle. She survived her husband for twenty-five years as Dowager Duchesse (1702 – 1727). The duchesse died (Sept 6, 1727) aged sixty-nine, at La Ferte-Vidame, and left six children,
Quinton, Amelia Stone – (1833 – 1926)
American social reformer and activist for Native American Indian rights
Amelia Quinton was born (July 31, 1833) in Jamesville, New York. She was raised in a strict Baptist household, and later worked as a schoolteacher. Amelia performed social work amongst women prisoners and later joined the WCTU (Woman’s Christian Temperance Union) and served as the organizer for the New York branch (1874 – 1877). Greatly interested in reforming the treatment accorded to Native American Indians, Amelia assisted with the establishment of the WNIA (Women’s National Indian Association) (1883). She later served as president of the organization (1887 – 1904). Her work on behalf of the Indians resulted in the passing of the Dawes severalty Act by the US Congress (1887), which granted land and voting rights to American Indians. Amelia Stone Quinton died (June 23, 1926) aged ninety-two, in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Quintrala, La – (1604 – 1665)
Spanish-Chilean landowner and mass murderess
Catalina de los Rios y Lisperguer was born in Santiago and was the owner of large estates and many tenants. She became famous for the abuses and murder which she perpetrated amongst her vassals and because of her vivid red hair she received the popular epithet of ‘La Quintrala.’ She was eventually brought to justice and tried for over forty murders. La Quintrala died in Santiago and ever remained a symbol to the Chilean people of Spanish oppression. The Danish composer produced the opera La Quintrala (2004) which told her story.
Quinzani, Stephana – (1457 – 1530)
Italian nun and mystic
Stephana Quinzani was born near Brescia, the daughter of Lorenzo Quinzani. She took vows as a Franciscan nun at the age of seven (1464) and later became a Dominican tertiary at the age of fifteen (1472) at Soncino, near Cremona. Famously pious she was said to have worn about her person a cord with thirty-three knots, one for each year of Christ’s life. Known for her excessive fasting and pursuit of hard physical work in the convent she was by nature a large, jocular woman.
Her only beauty was said to have been a magnificent head of hair, which she pulled out by the roots to prevent vanity. Reputed to have experienced the stigmata, she became the superior of a voluntary community of the Third Order, who were not enclosed and visited the sick to pray with them as part of their duties. Her religious ecstasies were witnessed by twenty-one witnesses (1497) and this hand written account survives. Stephana Quinzani died (Jan 2, 1530) aged seventy-two. Her cult was confirmed by Pope Benedict X (1740).
Quiqueran-Beaujeu, Josephine de Beauharnais, Marquise de – (1803 – 1870)
French Bonapartist aristocrat
Born Josephine Desiree Frederique Louise de Beauharnais, she was the only daughter of Francois Claude de Beauharnais, Comte des Roches-Baritaud, and his second wife Suzanne Elisabeth Sophie Fortin-Duplessis. Josephine was a close relative of the empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon I, and was half-sister to Stephanie de Beauharnais, Grand Duchess of Baden. She was married to Adrien Hippolyte, Marquis de Quiqueran-Beaujeu (1797 – 1860) and left descendants.
Quiriaca – (d. 304 AD)
Roman Christian martyr
Quiriaca was a widow of indeterminate age, who was put to death with six other women in Rome during the persecutions instigated by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian Daia. Her name appears amongst those martyrs whose names were recorded under the altar of the church of St Sylvester and St Martin, near the baths of Trajan on the Esquiline Hill. She is recorded in the Acta Sanctorum and in the Roman Martyrology.
Quiroga, Elena – (1921 – 1995)
Spanish novelist
Elena Quiroga was born in Santander. Most of her works were influenced by her own experiences during the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) and the rise of General Franco. Her best known work was Escribo tu nombre (I Write Your Name) (1965). Other published works included La soledad sonora (Sonorous Solitude) (1949), La sangre (Blood) (1952), La enferma (The Sick Woman) (1955), Tristura (Sadness) (1960) and Presente profundo (Profound Present) (1973).
Quistelli della Mirandola, Lucrezia – (fl. c1530 – c1550)
Italian Renaissance painter
Little is known of Lucrezia except her name. None of her works survive and she was listed in a collection of names of women painters provided by the chronicler Giorgio Vasari in his Le Vite de’ piu eccellenti archiletti, pittori e scultori italiani, da Cimabue insino ai tempi nostri (1568).
Quiteria – (d. c150 AD)
Hispano-Roman Christian martyr
Quiteria was the daughter of Lucius Gaius Attilius, governor of Lusitania and Galicia, and his wife Calfia. She resided as a Christian in her father’s household and refused several offers of marriage. Eventually two of her angered suitors decided to murder her, which they accomplished by beheading her, at Entre Minho e Douro. The church venerated her as a virgin saint (May 22) and she appears in the Roman Martyrology.
Quiteria
was the patron saint of Aire in Gascony, and of Gimont, and of dogs. Many churches in southern France and northern Spain were dedicated to her, especially at Aire, where her reputed relics were preserved until they were dispersed by the Huguenots.
Quiteria d’Albret – (1498 – 1536)
Infanta of Navarre
Infanta Quiteria was born in Pamplona, the twelfth and youngest child of Catherine de Foix, Queen regnant of Navarre, and her husband Jean d’Albret. She was the elder sister of Henry II d’Albret, king of Navarre, and great-aunt to Henry IV of France (1589 – 1610). Quiteria accompanied her parents into exile in France, and resided there after the death of her mother (1517). She never married and was appointed by Francois I to be abbess of the Benedictine house of Sainte Marie, at Montivilliers in Normandy, which had been refounded by Duke Robert I the Magnificent of Normandy, whilst her elder sister the Infanta Catherine (1495 – 1532), was appointed to be abbess of the Holy Trinity nunnery at Caen, founded by Queen Matilda, the wife of William the Conqueror. Quiteria died at Montivilliers.
Quitry, Adelaide Charlotte Louise de Bourbon, Comtesse de – (1780 – 1874)
French royal
Adelaide de Bourbon was born (Nov 10, 1780) in Paris, the elder illegitimate daughter of Louis VI de Bourbon, Prince de Conde and Duc de Bourbon, and the Parisian opera singer, Margeurite Catherine Michelot. Her sister, Louise Charlotte Aglae de Bourbon died as a child in England after 1795. Adelaide was recognized by her father, who organized for her education. She survived the horrors of the Revolution, and emigrated to England.
Adelaide
was married firstly (1803) to Patrice Gabriel Bernard de Montessus, Comte de Rully (died 1831). As the Dowager Comtesse de Rully she remarried secondly (1833) to Guy Jacques Eugene de Chaument, Comte de Quitry (died 1851). She survived her second husband as the Dowager Comtesse de Quitry (1851 – 1874). The Comtesse de Quitry died (May 27, 1874) aged ninety-two, in Paris.
Quomalia – (d. c303 AD)
Graeco-Roman Christian martyr
Quomalia was arrested and refused to abjure her faith during the persecutions initiated by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian Daia. She was killed in Galatia, Asia Minor and is recorded as a saint in the Acta Sanctorum (April 15).
Qupthiya, Maria see Qibtiyya, Maria
Qurratu ‘l-‘Ayn see Tahirah
Qutlugh Nigar Hanim – (c1463 – 1505)
Mughal princes
Qutlugh Nigar was a descendant of Genghiz Khan and was the wife of Umar Shaikh Mirza, the ruler of Ferghana (died 1494), and through him was the mother of Sultan Babar (1483 – 1530). Qutlugh Nigar exerted great influence over her son who complimented her political acumen in his own autobiography, and accompanied him on his military campaigns. She survived to see him acquire absolute power after succeesing capturing Kabul in Afghanistan.
Qutlugh Terken – (c1205 – 1283)
Mongol queen and ruler
Qutlugh Terken was born into a slave family, and was the foster daughter of Hayji Salinh, a merchant of Isfahan. She was married firstly to Ghiyath al-Din Pir-Shah (died c1228), secondly (c1229) to Baraq Hajib, king of Kirman (died 1235), and thirdly to Qutb al-Din Muhammad (died 1257). She was the mother of Sultan Hajjaj for whom she ruled for some time as regent.
Quzdari, Rabi’ah – (fl. 914 – 943)
Persian poet
Sometimes known as Rabe’eh Kaab Balkhi or Rabi’ah Ghozdary, she is considered the first female poet in Persian history. She lived sometime during the reign of Nasr II of Samanid (914 – 943). She was the daughter of a provincial governor, and was murdered by her brother because she dared vaunt her love for the family’s Turkish slave, Baktash, in her poetry. On learning of her attraction, her brother Haares caused Rabi’ah to be imprisoned in a bathroom, where her jugular vein was cut, and she was left to bleed to death. She used her own blood to write her final poems on the wall of her prison. On hearing of her death, Baktash murdered Haares and then committed suicide.
Qvist, Dame Frances see Gardner, Dame Frances Violet