Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Farnborough GCB PC PC (Ire) FRS FSA
Chief Secretary for Ireland
In office 1805–1806
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	William Pitt the Younger
Preceded by	Nicholas Vansittart
Succeeded by	William Elliot
Paymaster of the Forces
In office 1807–1826
Monarch	George III George IV
Prime Minister	The Duke of Portland Spencer Perceval The Earl of Liverpool
Preceded by	Earl Temple and Lord John Townshend
Succeeded by	William Vesey-FitzGerald
Personal details
Born	2 January 1760 (1760-01-02) London
Died	17 January 1838 (1838-01-18) (aged 78)
Nationality	British
Political party	Tory
Spouse	Amelia Hume ​ ​ (m. 1793; died 1837)​
Alma mater	Emmanuel College, Cambridge

Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough (born January 2, 1760 – died January 17, 1838), was an important English politician and a big fan of the arts. He was known for his good taste and for helping to set up famous places like the National Gallery in London.

Early Life and Education

Charles Long was born in London on January 2, 1760. He was the fourth son of Beeston Long, a merchant who traded with the West Indies. His family had lived in Jamaica since 1665.

He went to a private school in Greenwich and then studied at Emmanuel College at Cambridge University. After university, he traveled around Europe between 1786 and 1788, a trip known as the "grand tour." During this time, he explored Rome and started his art collection.

Political Journey

Charles Long was a good friend of William Pitt, who later became Prime Minister. Long started his political career in 1788.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In January 1789, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Rye. He later represented other areas like Midhurst (1796–1802) and Wendover (1802–06). From 1806 to 1826, he was the MP for Haslemere.

Working in Government

In 1791, Long became a junior secretary to the Treasury. This meant he helped manage the government's money. He also worked as a parliamentary whip, helping to make sure MPs voted the way the government wanted.

When Pitt left office in 1801, Long also left and received a yearly payment. He was later made a member of the Privy Council in 1802. This is a group of important advisors to the King or Queen.

Helping in Ireland

In 1805, Long became the Chief Secretary for Ireland. While in Dublin, he visited Anne Devlin, who was involved in a rebellion. He was shocked by her poor conditions and arranged for her to be set free right away.

After Pitt's death in 1806, Long became the Paymaster-General of the Forces. This role involved managing money for the army. He held this job until he retired from politics in 1826. He was offered other big jobs, like Chancellor of the Exchequer (who manages the country's money) and Secretary at War (who manages the army), but he turned them down.

Long rarely spoke in the House of Commons. He was known for being a loyal and efficient helper rather than someone who started new policies. He also helped start the Sun newspaper in 1792 to support the Tory political party.

Honors and Art

In 1820, King George IV made Long a Knight of the Bath. When he retired in 1826, he was given the title "Baron Farnborough." This meant he became a Lord and could sit in the House of Lords.

Long was very passionate about the arts. Even though he didn't have a lot of money to buy art himself, he used his position as an MP and minister to help artistic causes. He played a big part in setting up the National Gallery and in buying the famous Elgin marbles for Britain. He also helped found the British Institution in 1805, which supported British artists.

He was often asked for his opinion on art and architecture. For example, he advised on monuments for heroes of the Napoleonic wars and even on the design of government buildings.

Retirement and Legacy

Even after retiring from politics, Long remained very active in the art world. He was a trustee for both the British Museum and the National Gallery. He also played a leading role in the British Institution.

His advice on art was highly valued, even by kings. King George IV often asked for his opinion on new buildings, sculptures, and paintings. It was said that the King "saw through Mr. Long's spectacles" when it came to art. Long helped arrange art projects with famous artists like Canova and Lawrence. He also helped design changes to Windsor Castle, including the Grand Corridor and the height of the castle's main tower.

Long's own country home, Bromley Hill in Kent, was a beautiful villa that he and his wife helped design. They created a wonderful garden there, which was admired by many. Kings George IV and William IV, and Queen Adelaide all visited him there. Charles Long died at his home on January 17, 1838. He left fifteen artworks by famous painters like Rubens and Vandyck to the National Gallery.

Lady Farnborough

In 1793, Charles Long married Amelia Hume. She was the daughter of a well-known art collector. Amelia was a talented watercolor artist and garden designer. She had studied art in Italy before her marriage.

She designed the beautiful Italian-style gardens at their home, Bromley Hill. Her early artwork showed a wide view of landscapes, and later, she was influenced by other artists like Henry Edridge. Amelia died on January 15, 1837. Her husband, Lord Farnborough, was very sad and became ill after her death. He never fully recovered and died a year later. They did not have any children.

Sources

• Dictionary of National Biography Long, Charles, Baron Farnborough, by Howard Colvin