Elizabeth 'Fidget' Montagu (1718-1800), one of the best known women of the 18th century, was considered remarkable both for her literary pursuits and her considerable building achievements. Born Elizabeth Robinson, she was the daughter of Matthew Robinson (1694–1778), a country squire, and Elizabeth Drake. Because she was so intelligent and precocious, she was sent to live with her step-grandfather, a librarian, and encouraged to read the classics and to study languages. These early intellectual efforts would shape the rest of her life.

Elizabeth Montagu is most famous for being the leading female intellectual of the 18th century. She was nicknamed "Queen of the Blues" by Dr. Johnson and was a founding member of the "Bluestockings," an informal group of men and women who enjoyed discussing literature and philosophy. The group received their name from one guest, Mr. Benjamin Stillingfleet, who wore blue worsted stockings when black silk was the accepted formal evening wear. Each member took turns hosting evening dinner parties and entertainments which consisted of London's most noted critics, artists, theologians, philosophers, and writers. Dancing, card-playing, and gambling were avoided, the women preferring moral and intellectual discussions as well as philanthropic activities devoted to women's issues.

Mrs. Montagu also published anonymously The Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare, which was a reply to Voltaire's attack on the English playwright and which received excellent reviews, running to six editions. Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote of Montagu that "she diffuses more knowledge than any woman I know, or indeed, almost any man, conversing with her, you may find variety in one." (As quoted in Rosemary Baird, "The Queen of the Bluestockings: Mrs. Montagu's House at 23 Hill Street Rediscovered," Apollo, August 2003, p. 49).

In 1742, Elizabeth married Edward Montagu (1692-1776), a grandson of the Earl of Sandwich. Although Montagu was significantly older than Elizabeth, they shared many intellectual pursuits and a love of the countryside. Montagu owned and leased several country estates and London houses and Elizabeth redesigned gardens with the help of Robert Adam, James 'Athenian' Stuart, James Wyatt, and Capability Brown.

After her husband's death in 1776, Elizabeth threw herself into the building of a new London house, at No. 22 Portman Square. When James 'Athenian' Stuart (1713-1788) heard of the project he wrote that he wished "to request the honor of seeing her before any other artist is spoken to." (Rosemary Baird, Mistress of the House: Great Ladies and Grand Houses, London, 2003, p. 203). Stuart was responsible for much of the interior architectural elements and decorations. Montagu House became her favorite and primary residence and she wrote to a friend, "I am more and more in love with my new house...the moon shines with all her majesty into my eating room and at night I send away the candles to take a walk in it." (Baird, p. 206-208). The house was finished in June 1791 and Mrs. Montagu hosted a large party attended by Queen Charlotte, her daughters, and over 700 other guests.

The present meat dishes were part of a large silver dinner service for Montagu House by Matthew Boulton, a cousin by marriage, under the direction of James Wyatt. Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) of Birmingham ran a complex manufactory, employing good design and increasing quantity and quality while keeping prices low. He was one of the first to curtail child labor and to introduce a social and medical security plan for his craftsmen. Together with his partner, John Fothergill, Boulton established the Soho Manufactory near Birmingham in 1762 and produced ormolu, Sheffield-plate, silver, clocks and other ornamental wares for English and European royal and noble patrons including George III, Catherine II, the Empress of Russia, and the Prince of Wales, later George IV.