Facts About Downton Abbey
12 Fascinating Facts You Probably Don't Know About "Downton Abbey"
7
While many of the characters on "Downton" have some degree of real-life inspiration, creator Julian Fellowes specifically found inspiration for the character of Cora from a real baroness.
In "The World of Downton Abbey," Fellowes reveals he based Cora loosely on Mary Leiter (later Lady Curzon), an American heiress who married George Curzon, a British aristocrat in financial trouble. Like Robert and Cora, their marriage began with her much more in love with him than vice versa, but it grew into a loving marriage. When George was named Viceroy of India, Mary became the Vicereine, making her the highest-ranking American (of any gender) in the history of Britain.