Born in 1857, Mary Gertrude Elizabeth (known as Gertrude) was the eldest of the 11 children of Sir Walter Spencer-Stanhope, who owned Cannon Hall from 1873 to 1911. She enjoyed success as an artist, not only creating sculptural works such as theses bronze figures, but also exhibiting paintings at provincial and London galleries between 1886 and 1909.
Gertrude's interest in art may have been inspired by her uncle, John Roddam Spencer-Stanhope. She frequently visited Roddam in Florence, Italy, where he lived in his later years. She continued to spend time in Florence after his death, and died there herself on 7 October 1944, having never married. She was buried with her uncle in Allori Cemetery in Via Sensese, south of the River Arno near Florence. 3 of her works can be seen at Cannon Hall Museum.