Charles Gordon-Lennox, 7th Duke of Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Richmond
|
|
|---|---|
Photograph of Lord Richmond, 1907
|
|
| Member of Parliament for Chichester | |
| In office 1885–1889 |
|
| Preceded by | Lord Henry Lennox John Abel Smith |
| Succeeded by | Lord Walter Gordon-Lennox |
| Member of Parliament for West Sussex | |
| In office 1869–1885 Serving with Sir Walter Barttelot, Bt
|
|
| Preceded by | Hon. Henry Wyndham Sir Walter Barttelot, Bt |
| Succeeded by | Constituency divided |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox
27 December 1845 Portland Place, London |
| Died | 18 January 1928 (aged 82) London |
| Spouses |
Amy Mary Ricardo
(m. 1868; Isabel Sophie Craven
(m. 1882; |
| Children | 7 |
| Parents | Charles Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of Richmond Frances Harriett |
| Education | Eton College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Grenadier Guards Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia Royal Sussex Regiment |
| Rank | Lt-Col Commandant |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox (born December 27, 1845 – died January 18, 1928) was an important British politician and a member of the noble class. He held many titles during his life, including the 7th Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and the 2nd Duke of Gordon. He was also the 7th Duke of Aubigny in France.
From birth, he was known as Lord Settrington. Later, from 1860 to 1903, he was called the Earl of March. He was given special honors like the Order of the Garter (KG), the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), and the Order of the Bath (CB).
Early Life and Education
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox was born in London on December 27, 1845. He was the oldest son of Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the 6th Duke of Richmond, and Frances Harriett Greville.
When he was young, he went on an exciting hunting trip to the Rocky Mountains in America. He even spent a winter living in a log hut! He attended Eton College, a famous school, from 1859 to 1863. In 1860, his father became a Duke, and Charles then became known as the Earl of March.
His Career in Public Service
Lord March joined the Grenadier Guards, a famous part of the British Army, in 1865. He left the army in 1869 when he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for West Sussex. An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the House of Commons, which is part of the UK government.
He served as an MP for West Sussex until 1885. After that, he became the MP for the Chichester area until 1889. He also worked as an Ecclesiastical Commissioner, helping with church matters, until 1903.
Charles also served in the Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia, a part-time military force. He became a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1876. He and his brother, Lord Algernon Gordon-Lennox, both fought in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Charles led his battalion there from 1901 to 1902. For his service, he received the Companion of the Order of the Bath honor.
In 1902, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Elginshire, and in 1903, he became Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire. A Lord Lieutenant is the King's or Queen's personal representative in a county.
In 1903, Charles became the 7th Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and the 2nd Duke of Gordon, after his father passed away. He also inherited the French title of Duke of Aubigny. In 1904, King Edward VII gave him two very special honors: he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and a Knight of the Order of the Garter. He was also a leader in the Freemasons in Sussex from 1902.
His Family Life
Lord Richmond was married two times. His first marriage was in 1868 to Amy Mary Ricardo. She was the daughter of Percy Ricardo. Charles and Amy had five children together: three sons and two daughters. Sadly, Amy passed away in 1879 when she was only 32 years old.
Their children were:
- Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, who later became the 8th Duke of Richmond.
- Lady Evelyn Amy Gordon-Lennox.
- Lady Violet Mary Gordon-Lennox.
- Lord Esmé Charles Gordon-Lennox, who became a Brigadier-General in the British Army.
- Lord Bernard Charles Gordon-Lennox, a Major in the British Army.
In 1882, he married his second wife, Isabel Sophie Craven. They had two daughters:
- Lady Muriel Beatrice Gordon-Lennox.
- Lady Helen Magdalen Gordon-Lennox, who later became the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Isabel passed away in 1887 when she was 24. Lord Richmond did not marry again. He passed away in London on January 18, 1928, at the age of 82. He was buried in Chichester Cathedral. His oldest son, Charles, became the next Duke.
Family Estate
When the Duke passed away, he owned a lot of valuable land and property, including Goodwood House, where he lived. His family had owned these lands for a long time. However, due to high taxes after his death, his son, the 8th Duke, had to sell many valuable paintings and books from Goodwood House and Gordon Castle, their Scottish home.
