Cora Crawley

Cora Crawley
Title:	Countess of Grantham
Societal Information
Position:	Countess
Class:	American Upper/Nobility
Marital Status:	Wife of Robert Crawley
Relationships
Allies:	Mary Crawley, Violet Crawley
Enemies:	Matthew Crawley
Behind The Scenes
Portrayer:	Elizabeth McGovern

Cora Crawley (née Levinson), Countess of Grantham (b. July 18, 1868) is the wife of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham and mother of Lady Mary Crawley, Lady Edith Crawley, and Lady Sybil Crawley. An American heiress by birth she married into British nobility.

Biography

Early Life

Born Cora Levinson in Cincinnati on July 18, 1868, she was the daughter of Isadore Levinson a dry goods multi-millionaire. As a young woman she traveled to Britain with her mother to find a husband. By the end of her first season she was engaged to Robert Crawley much to the chagrin of his mother. As part of their marriage contract Cora's fortune was tied to the Title of the Estate as to keep the Earldom of Grantham from becoming bankrupt.

Life at Downton

While their marriage was initially one-sided in love, after a year Robert fell in love with her. After her father-in-law died Cora became a countess as her husband became Earl of Granthem. The Countess would give birth to three daughters, Mary, Edith, and Sybil, however none of her daughters could inherit the title or her wealth. The solution was to have the eldest daughter, Mary, marry the heir Patrick Crawley.

Season One