Charles Gordon-Lennox, 10th Duke of Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Richmond
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait by Allan Warren
|
|
| Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex | |
| In office 23 March 1990 – 29 March 1994 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | The Duchess of Norfolk |
| Succeeded by | Sir Phillip Ward |
| Member of the House of Lords as Duke of Richmond |
|
| In office 2 November 1989 – 11 November 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Frederick, 9th Duke of Richmond |
| Succeeded by | House of Lords Act 1999 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 September 1929 |
| Died | 1 September 2017 (aged 87) |
| Spouse |
Susan Grenville-Grey
(m. 1951) |
| Children | 5, including: |
| Parents |
|
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 10th Duke of Richmond, 10th Duke of Lennox, 10th Duke of Aubigny, 5th Duke of Gordon (born September 19, 1929 – died September 1, 2017) was an important English peer and landowner. A peer is a person who holds a special noble title, like a Duke.
He was known by different titles during his life. He was called Lord Settrington until 1935. From 1935 to 1989, he was known as Earl of March and Kinrara.
Charles became the Duke of Richmond when his father, Frederick Gordon-Lennox, 9th Duke of Richmond, passed away in 1989. The main family home for the Dukes of Richmond is Goodwood House in Sussex, England. When his son, Lord March, took over running the estate, the 10th Duke moved to a smaller house nearby called Molecomb House.
What He Did
The Duke went to Eton College, a famous school, and then to William Temple College. From 1949 to 1950, he served in the military as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 60th Rifles.
He was also a Chartered Accountant, which means he was an expert in managing money for businesses. He worked in the business world for almost 20 years.
Charles held many important jobs in public service, business, and the church.
- He was the Chancellor of the University of Sussex from 1985 to 1998. This is like being the head of the university.
- He was a Church Commissioner from 1963 to 1976. This role helps manage the Church of England's finances.
- He was part of the General Synod of the Church of England from 1960 to 1980. This is the main governing body of the Church of England.
- He also worked on committees for the World Council of Churches, which brings together different Christian churches worldwide.
From 1975 to 1990, he was a Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex. Then, from 1990 to 1994, he became the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex. A Lord Lieutenant is the King or Queen's personal representative in a county.
He was also a supporter of Prisoners Abroad. This is a charity that helps British citizens who are in prison in other countries and supports their families.
In 2006, he started the Sussex Community Foundation. He created this group because he saw many people in Sussex who needed help. The foundation works to support local communities.
His Family
In 1951, when he was still known as the Earl of March, he married Susan Monica Grenville-Grey. She was born in 1932. They had three children together:
- Lady Ellinor Caroline Gordon-Lennox (born July 28, 1952)
- Charles Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond (born January 8, 1955). He married Sally Clayton in 1976 and they later divorced. They have one daughter. He then married Hon. Janet Elizabeth Astor in 1991. They have four children.
- Lady Louisa Elizabeth Gordon-Lennox (born March 14, 1967). She married Benjamin "Ben" Collings in 1997. They have four children:
- Felicity Grace Collings (born 1999)
- George Cecil Collings (born December 23, 2003)
The Duke and Duchess also adopted two girls. This was quite unusual at the time, especially because the girls were of mixed race. This happened when many people had strong feelings against immigrants and interracial marriages.
- Lady Maria Gordon-Lennox (born 1959). She married Mr. Handy and they have one daughter named Michaela Handy.
- Lady Naomi Gordon-Lennox (born 1962). She married Gavin Burke in 1999, and they later divorced. They have three children.
Both adopted girls were born in England. Their mothers were white, and their fathers were from Ghana and South Africa. For a long time, adopted children of peers were not allowed to use special titles like "Lady". However, in April 2004, a special document called a Royal Warrant was issued. This meant that Maria and Naomi were officially recognized as "Ladies," just like other daughters of a Duke.
Images for kids
-
The coat of arms for the Duke of Richmond, Lennox, and Gordon.
