Elizabeth Aldworth (1695-1775), born the Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger, was known as “The Lady Freemason”, the only woman ever to be initiated into Regular Freemasonry.

She was the daughter of Arthur St. Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile and 1st Baron Kilmayden of Doneraile Court, County Cork, Ireland. She was married in 1713 to Richard Aldworth.

There was a plaque erected at the new St. Finbarre’s Cathedral by the Masons of Cork, which reads:

In Pious Memory of

The Honorable
ELIZABETH ALDWORTH,
Wife of
RICHARD ALDWORTH,
Of Newmarket Court, Co. Cork, Esq.,
Daughter of
ARTHUR, FIRST VISCOUNT DONERAILE.
Her Remains Lie Close to This Spot.
Born 1695, Died 1775.
Initiated into Masonry in
Lodge No. 44, at Doneraile Court
In this County, A.D. 1712