Martha Levinson

Background
Martha Levinson is the widow of Isidore Levinson, an Jewish self made American dry goods millionaire. Martha was Episcopalian and raised both of her children, Cora and Harold, in her faith. Cora Levinson was born June 18th in 1868. In 1888, she was brought to England by her mother to be presented at court. In 1889, when she was 21 years old, she married Robert Crawley. Harold Levinson lives in New York and races yachts.

Season Three
Mrs. Martha Levinson comes to Downton Abbey for the wedding of Mary and Matthew Crawley. She arrives by boat at Liverpool. Violet Crawley dreads seeing her as they disagree about everything. Martha makes her entrance at Downton emerging from the car, while Alfred helps her down. She announces that war comes and goes but Downton remains the same. She immediately gives commands and opinions about everything. She tells Mary to explain he plans for the wedding so that she can improve them. Then she sails in through the front door.

Martha is sarcastic in her questioned about the details of the entailment, saying that she finds it hard to understand that Matthew a third cousin of Robert Crawley is going to inherit Downton and the dowery that Cora's father Isidore settled on her. She sends her maid, Miss Reed to the kitchen with complicated instructions of the kind of food she wants and how to prepare it, something which would be seen as rude in England at this time.

Martha is introduced to Tom Branson by Sybil, but she seems confused by what a journalist is. Violet is trying to be on good behavior around Martha, as Downton is in debt and Mary plans to ask her for money, but they still have friendly confrontations. Martha and Violet disagree about the importance of keeping old traditions. Martha believes that things should change with the times, and that these large old houses were built for an age that is now past.

The stove at Downton breaks and none of the food is cooked, Martha takes charge and organizes an indoor picnic at which she sings a serenade to Violet the Dowager Countess.

When Mary finally asks her for money, Martha tells them that her husband tied up the capital so that she cannot touch it. Martha has a conversation with Robert about the need to adapt to the times and she brings him to task for making Edith unhappy by telling Sir Strallan to stay away.

Martha stays on at Downton for the entire month that Mary and Matthew are away on their honeymoon, but eventually she decides that she has stayed long enough and will leave in the morning, much to Robert's approval.