Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1661-1720) was well educated for a woman of her time. She had the privilege of living in the court of Charles II by serving as a maid of honor to Mary of Modena. During this time Finch secretly wrote poetry and published anonymously. Miscellany Poems on Several Occasions appeared in 1713, the first publication that publicly acknowledged her authorship. In 1712 her husband unexpectedly inherited the title of Earl, making Finch the Countess of Winchilsea.