Charles Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Admiral The Right Honourable
The Earl of Hardwicke
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| Postmaster General | |
| In office 1 March 1852 – 17 December 1852 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Derby |
| Preceded by | The Marquess of Clanricarde |
| Succeeded by | The Viscount Canning |
| Lord Privy Seal | |
| In office 26 February 1858 – 11 June 1859 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Derby |
| Preceded by | The Marquess of Clanricarde |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Argyll |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 April 1799 Sydney Lodge, Hamble le Rice, Hampshire |
| Died | 17 September 1873 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouses | Hon. Susan Liddell (c. 1810–1886) |
Charles Philip Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke (born April 2, 1799 – died September 17, 1873) was an important British figure. He was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and a Conservative politician. He held several high-ranking government jobs during his career.
Early Life and Education
Charles Philip Yorke was born at Sydney Lodge in Hamble le Rice. He was the oldest son of Admiral Joseph Sydney Yorke. His grandfather was Charles Yorke, who was a very important judge called the Lord Chancellor. Charles went to Harrow, a famous school. He also studied at the Royal Naval College. There, he earned a special award for his studies.
Charles Yorke joined the Royal Navy in May 1815. He started as a midshipman, which is a junior officer. His first ship was HMS Prince. He later served in the Mediterranean Sea. He was on ships like HMS Sparrowhawk and HMS Leviathan.
A big moment in his early career was the bombardment of Algiers. He was given command of a small gunboat during this battle. He then served in North America. There, he commanded a small vessel called the Jane. This ship carried important messages between Halifax and Bermuda. In August 1819, he became a full lieutenant. He was later promoted to captain in 1825. As captain, he helped stop piracy in the Mediterranean. He also watched the forces of Turkey and Egypt.
Between 1828 and 1831, he commanded HMS Alligator. He was involved in naval actions during the conflict between Greece and Turkey. Later, in 1844 and 1845, he briefly commanded HMS Black Eagle. He also commanded HMS St Vincent. On this ship, he carried the Emperor of Russia, Nicholas I, to England.
In 1849, while commanding HMS Vengeance, he helped solve a problem in Genoa, Italy. He acted as a mediator between rebels and the Kingdom of Sardinia. For his actions, he received a special award. It was a Gold Medal of Military Valour from the Sardinian King Victor Emmanuel II. He was allowed to accept this medal in 1855. He became a rear-admiral in 1858. He was promoted to vice-admiral in the same year. In 1863, he became a full admiral. He left the Royal Navy in 1870.
Political Career
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Charles Yorke was also active in politics. He was a member of the House of Commons. This is part of the British Parliament where laws are made. He represented Reigate from 1831 to 1832. Then he represented Cambridgeshire from 1832 to 1834.
In 1834, his uncle passed away. Charles then became the fourth Earl of Hardwicke. This meant he inherited a large estate called Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire. He joined the government of Lord Derby. In 1852, he served as Postmaster General. This job was in charge of the postal service. From 1858 to 1859, he was the Lord Privy Seal. This was another important government role. In 1852, he also became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of advisors to the monarch.
Family Life
Charles Philip Yorke married the Honourable Susan Liddell in August 1833. She was the sixth daughter of Thomas Liddell, 1st Baron Ravensworth. They had five sons and three daughters together. Their children included Charles Philip, Lady Elizabeth Philippa Biddulph, and Lady Agneta Harriet Montagu. One of their daughters, Lady Mary Catherine, had a daughter named Isabel Sophie. Isabel Sophie later married Charles Gordon-Lennox, 7th Duke of Richmond.
Charles Philip Yorke, the 4th Earl of Hardwicke, passed away in September 1873. He was 74 years old. His oldest son, Charles, took over as the 5th Earl of Hardwicke. The Countess of Hardwicke, Susan, died in November 1886.
