Subject

Writer and good friend to Samuel Johnson. Born near Bwlheli, Caernarvonshire, as Hester Salusbury. In 1763 was married for money to Henry Thrale, a wealthy London brewer. An unhappy marriage, with many pregnancies but few long-lived children, the Thrales nonetheless entertained playwrights, etc. and Samuel Johnson became a friend and frequent visitor, and then, for 16 years, a house guest, at both Streatham and Southwark.

Hester was actively involved in running the brewery. Henry died in 1781 and in 1784 Hester married Italian musician Gabriel Mario Piozzi - a love-match. They moved to Wales in 1795 but he died in 1809. She lived on in Bath and died at Clifton.