Mary Blandy (1719–November 30, 1752) was a well-born woman who was said to have poisoned her father at the behest of her suitor.
Mary's dowry was proclaimed by her father Francis, a lawyer, to be £10,000. When Mary was 26, she met Captain William Henry Cranstoun, who was considered by both of Mary's parents to be a fair suitor. Cranstoun, from a prominent family and descended from two famous Scottish clans, the Kerrs and Campbells, was already married, with two children in Scotland. He convinced his wife to sign papers that stated that she disowned him. She did not, however, agree to an annulment. When Blandy found out about Cranstoun's behaviour, he decided that he was not, after all, worthy to marry his daughter.
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