Lady Caroline Anne (Hurt) Hatherton (1810–1897) was the eldest daughter of Richard Hurt Esq of Alderwasley Hall, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. The Hurts were regarded as among the chief gentry of Derbyshire. They were wealthy, as landowners, timber suppliers, lead merchants, and iron manufacturers.
In 1830 she married Edward Davies Davenport of Capesthorne Hall. Here she was visited by her close friend the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865), who in 1846 wrote that 'I admire Mrs Davenport the more the more I see of her. She is such a queenly woman'. Caroline Davenport brought together formidable liberal ladies at Capesthorne, and she engaged in various sorts of social work.
In 1852 she married Edward John Littleton, first Baron Hatherton (1791–1863), of Teddesley Hall, Staffordshire, whom she substantially outlived.
