Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: London
About Eleanor Cripps Kennedy
- Eleanor Eliza Cripps Kennedy (1825–1913) was a Canadian businesswoman, musician, artist, and author. Born in London, England, on 2 November 1825, Kennedy emigrated to the Red River Settlement (now Manitoba) with her husband William Kennedy in 1861 to establish a mission school for the Church of England.
- Though they tried to return to England in 1862, they were trapped by a Sioux uprising in Minnesota that prevented them from leaving the province by their intended route.
- After returning to Red River, the couple imported the second piano to appear in the settlement, on which Kennedy performed.
- They built the first frame house in Manitoba in 1866, which they called "Maple Grove".
- Kennedy organized a clothing club during the "severe grasshopper plagues of the later 1860s".
- Known locally as "The Duchess", she was heavily involved in efforts to open a hospital in the settlement.The Kennedys were next caught up in the Red River Rebellion in 1869 – Eleanor was said to have personally delivered a letter to Louis Riel asking him to stop the fighting.
- "Distressing" gossip arose that she had petitioned for the life of Riel and demanded the death of Thomas Scott.
- She appealed to Robert Machray to address the source of the rumours, her parish priest, from whom she refused to take communion; she threatened to leave the church if this was not done, and Machray had the priest apologize.After the entrance of the province of Manitoba into Canadian Confederation, Kennedy established a millinery business to import clothing and foodstuffs, which provided the family with financial support while William was stricken with rheumatism.
- While it was initially successful, "William began stocking inferior products, accepting land deeds and scrip in payment", resulting in its eventual failure.
- William died in January 1890.
- Kennedy moved to Virden, Manitoba, where she painted nature works, played organ at the local church, and wrote poetry.
- She died on 4 October 1913 and was buried in St.
- Andrews, Manitoba.
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