Estella Cave, Countess Cave of Richmond
Estella Cave, Countess Cave of Richmond (April 1856 – 7 January 1938) was an English author and the first Division Commissioner for Kingston Girl Guides, serving from 1911 to 1926. Born Annie Estella Sarah Penfold Mathews in North Cadbury, Somerset, she was the fifth child of Captain William Withey Mathew and Jane Wallas Penfold. Her brother, Lloyd William Mathews, was an abolitionist. From childhood, her mother encouraged an interest in nature, and in 1933 Estella wrote Ant Antics about ants.
She married George Cave, who would become the 1st Viscount Cave and Lord Chancellor in 1922. They had four children, all of whom died in infancy. The Caves lived at Richmond Hill, then Wardrobe Court in Richmond Palace, and later at St. Ann’s in Burnham, Somerset. Estella was an avid gardener and helped restore the gardens of Richmond Palace, replanting the historic pomegranate tree in memory of Catherine of Aragon and planting other traditional trees.
In public life she supported her husband’s political career and became known as a capable canvasser. She enjoyed friendships with writers such as J. M. Barrie, with whom she shared many letters. The couple travelled together to East Africa (1901), South Africa (1919) and North America (1920), among other places. They were keen golfers and spent much time at St. Ann’s near Burnham.
When her husband died in 1928, he was about to be made an earl, and Estella was thereafter known as Countess Cave of Richmond. She died on 7 January 1938 and was buried beside her husband at St Mary Magdalene, Berrow. She wrote for The Nineteenth Century and After, contributing pieces such as From my Rhodesian diary (1922), From my Canadian diary (1923) and Some Notes on Dress (1924). Her work with the Girl Guides, especially her Silver Fish Award—the movement’s highest adult honour—left a lasting impact.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:26 (CET).