After Byron left Newstead Abbey he sold it to an old school
friend, Thomas Wildman.
A devoted fan of the poet and his work, Sophie Hyatt came to live at a nearby
farm.
She was very shy, being deaf and unable to speak, and would always hide away from
approaching strangers by diving into any nearby bushes to avoid having to communicate.
The White Lady
She always carried a slate
on which to write if necessary.
When the Wildmans learned how fond she was of ByronÂ’s work they kindly allowed
her to wander around the grounds whenever she wanted.
She was even allowed to take a dog Byron had left behind, for exercise on her
walks.
Sophie became known as the ‘Little White Lady of Newstead’ because she
always wore light clothing.
Sophie, unable to support herself, lived on an income provided by a relative.
In 1825 the relative died and the money dried up.
