William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale
William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale KG (29 December 1757 – 19 March 1844) was a British Tory politician and nobleman.
![](../I/m/1stEarlOfLonsdale.jpg)
![](../I/m/Shield_of_arms_of_William_Lowther%2C_1st_Earl_of_Lonsdale%2C_KG.png)
Background and education
Lowther was the son of Sir William Lowther, 1st Baronet, of Little Preston and Swillington, and his wife Anne Zouch. He was educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge.[1]
Political career
Lowther was briefly Member of Parliament for Appleby in 1780, for Carlisle from 1780 to 1784 and for Cumberland from 1784 to 1790. In 1796, he was returned as Member of Parliament for Rutland, holding the seat until 1802. In that year, he inherited by special remainder the titles of Viscount Lowther and Baron Lowther from his third cousin once removed, the Earl of Lonsdale of the first creation, as well as his immense estates. He was also appointed to the northern Lord Lieutenancies of Cumberland and Westmorland. In 1807, Lowther was himself created Earl of Lonsdale and appointed a Knight of the Garter.
![](../I/m/LowtherCastle.jpg)
A coal magnate, he spent £200,000 on the Lowther estate and built a new Lowther Castle. A Tory in politics, he seems to have been tolerant and well-liked, disdaining sabbatarianism[2] and serving as patron for a number of painters and authors, including William Wordsworth.[3] Lonsdale died at York House, Twickenham in 1844. Lowther also enjoyed fox hunting, serving as Master of the Cottesmore Hunt from 1788 to 1802 and 1806 to 1842.[4]
Family
Lord Lonsdale married Lady Augusta Fane (died 1838), daughter of John Fane, 9th Earl of Westmorland, on 12 July 1781. They had six children:[5]
- William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (1787–1872)
- Henry Cecil Lowther (1790–1867)
- Lady Elizabeth Lowther (died 12 February 1869), unmarried
- Lady Mary Lowther (1785 – 21 October 1863), married on 16 September 1820 Maj. Gen. Lord Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (died 1828), son of the 3rd Duke of Portland. Lady Mary was an amateur artist, tutored by Joseph Faringdon and Peter de Wint.[6]
- Lady Anne Lowther (died 8 November 1863), married on 20 January 1817 Sir John Beckett, 2nd Baronet
- Lady Grace Caroline Lowther (died 1 November 1883), married on 3 July 1815 William Vane, 3rd Duke of Cleveland
References
- "Lowther, William (LWTR776W)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- "The 1st Earl of Lonsdale". Twickenham Museum. Retrieved 19 December 2006.
- "Lowther Castle Conservation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2006.
- "Cottesmore Hunt History". Retrieved 12 January 2007.
- "Lowther pedigree 2". Retrieved 19 December 2006.
- Walker, LuLen. "Lady Mary's Sketchbook". Georgetown University.
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Earl of Lonsdale
- Portraits of William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale at the National Portrait Gallery, London
Parliament of Great Britain | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Philip Honywood George Johnstone |
Member of Parliament for Appleby 1780–1781 With: Philip Honywood |
Succeeded by Philip Honywood William Pitt |
Preceded by Anthony Morris Storer Walter Spencer Stanhope |
Member of Parliament for Carlisle 1780–1784 With: Earl of Surrey |
Succeeded by Earl of Surrey Edward Norton |
Preceded by Sir Henry Fletcher, Bt Sir James Lowther, Bt |
Member of Parliament for Cumberland 1784–1790 With: Sir Henry Fletcher, Bt |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Fletcher, Bt Humphrey Senhouse |
Preceded by Gerard Noel Edwards Lord Sherard |
Member of Parliament for Rutland 1796–1801 With: Gerard Noel Edwards |
Succeeded by (Union of Great Britain and Ireland) |
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
Preceded by (Union of Great Britain and Ireland) |
Member of Parliament for Rutland 1801–1802 With: Gerard Noel Edwards |
Succeeded by Gerard Noel Edwards The Lord Carbery |
Honorary titles | ||
Preceded by The Earl of Lonsdale |
Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland and Westmorland 1802–1844 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Lonsdale |
Vacant Title last held by The Earl of Lonsdale |
Vice-Admiral of Cumberland 1809–1844 |
Vacant |
Titles of nobility | ||
New title | Earl of Lonsdale 1807–1844 |
Succeeded by William Lowther |
Preceded by James Lowther |
Viscount Lowther 1802–1844 | |
Baron Lowther (descended by acceleration) 1802–1841 | ||
Preceded by William Lowther |
Baronet (of Little Preston) 1788–1844 |