Charles Hobhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Charles Hobhouse
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| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | |
| In office 23 October 1911 – 11 February 1914 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Prime Minister | H. H. Asquith |
| Preceded by | Jack Pease |
| Succeeded by | Charles Masterman |
| Postmaster General | |
| In office 11 February 1914 – 25 May 1915 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Prime Minister | H. H. Asquith |
| Preceded by | Herbert Samuel |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Samuel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1862 |
| Died | 26 June 1941 (aged 78) Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouses |
Georgina Fuller
(m. 1890; Aimee Brendon
(m. 1931) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Sir Charles Edward Henry Hobhouse (born June 30, 1862 – died June 26, 1941) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He also served as an officer in the military. From 1911 to 1915, he was part of the government led by Prime Minister H. H. Asquith.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Hobhouse was born in Dormansland, Surrey. He was the third child and only son of Sir Charles Parry Hobhouse. His mother was Edith Lucy Turton.
He went to Eton College, a famous school. Later, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford University in 1880. After that, he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This college trains future army officers.
Military Service and Career
After his training, Hobhouse became a lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1884. He served in the regular army until 1890. He then left to start his political career.
However, he continued to be involved in the military part-time. He became a captain in a militia unit in 1897. During the Second Boer War, he joined a new volunteer battalion in Bristol. He became a major and later a lieutenant-colonel in command of this unit.
In 1908, his battalion became the 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He retired from command in 1911. But when Earl Roberts, the honorary colonel, died during World War I, Hobhouse took over this role in 1914. He remained the honorary colonel for the rest of his life.
Political Journey and Roles
Charles Hobhouse had a long and active political career. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for two different areas.
Early Political Steps
His first attempt to become an MP was in North Buckinghamshire. He then successfully became the Liberal MP for Devizes. He held this seat from 1892 to 1895. After that, he represented Bristol East from 1900 to 1918.
During his early time in Parliament, he had several important roles. From 1892 to 1895, he was a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Colonial Office. This office managed Britain's colonies around the world. He also served as a Church Estates Commissioner from 1906 to 1907.
Cabinet Minister Roles
In 1907, Hobhouse received his first big government job. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman appointed him Under-Secretary of State for India. This role involved helping to govern British India.
He led a group called the Hobhouse Commission. This commission suggested carefully expanding a local self-government system in Indian villages. Their ideas helped shape future laws for India.
From 1908 to 1911, he worked as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. This meant he helped manage the country's money. In 1909, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the King or Queen.
Hobhouse then joined the Prime Minister's main team, the cabinet. He was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1911 to 1914. This role involved managing royal lands and income. From 1914 to 1915, he served as Postmaster-General. This job meant he was in charge of the postal service.
Local Politics and Later Years
Besides his work in national politics, Hobhouse was also active locally. He was an Alderman on Wiltshire County Council for many years, from 1893 to 1924. This meant he was a senior member of the local government.
In 1916, he became the 4th Baronet after his father passed away. In the 1918 election, he lost his seat in Parliament. This was a difficult election for many Liberal politicians. He tried to get elected again in 1922 but was not successful.
Hobhouse remained involved in the Liberal Party. He was President of the Western Counties Liberal Federation from 1924 to 1935. He also served as President of the National Liberal Federation from 1926 to 1930.
Personal Life
Sir Charles Hobhouse married twice. His first wife was Georgina Fleetwood Fuller, known as Lady Nina. They married in 1890, and she passed away in 1927. In 1931, he married Aimee Gladys Brendon. He did not have any children from either marriage.
He lived in Monkton Farleigh until he died on June 26, 1941. He was 78 years old.
See also
- Under-Secretary of State for India
- Financial Secretary to the Treasury
- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- Postmaster General
