David Lyon (British politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Lyon
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The Thyssen Portrait of Lyon by Thomas Lawrence
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| Born | 18 September 1794 |
| Died | 8 April 1872 (aged 77) Nice, France
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Parliamentarian |
David Lyon Junior (1794–1872) was a wealthy British merchant and a Member of Parliament. He also owned a lot of land. A famous artist, Sir Thomas Lawrence, painted his portrait around 1825. This painting is now in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain.
Contents
David Lyon's Early Life
David Lyon Junior was born on September 18, 1794. His father, David Lyon senior, was a very successful merchant. He traded goods from the West Indies. David Junior was one of ten children. He went to a well-known school called Harrow in 1809.
When David Junior was 31, Sir Thomas Lawrence painted his picture. Lawrence was a very famous artist at that time. He was the president of the Royal Academy. The painting cost a lot of money.
A Career in Politics and Business
David Lyon Junior joined his family's business. This business had big interests in Jamaica. He also became a Member of Parliament (MP). He represented a place called Bere Alston. This was a "rotten borough." This meant it had very few voters but still sent an MP to Parliament. It was controlled by a powerful person, Lord Beverley.
David Lyon Junior never spoke in Parliament. The way MPs were chosen changed in 1832. This change was called the Reform Act. After this, Bere Alston lost its right to have an MP. David Lyon Junior did not return to Parliament.
Land and Estates
David Lyon Junior owned many enslaved people in Jamaica. This was before slavery was ended in 1833. When slavery was abolished, he received money for over two thousand enslaved people. They were on thirteen different estates.
After leaving Parliament, he bought a large estate. It was near Worthing in Sussex, England. He built a new house there called Goring Hall. Today, Goring Hall is used as a hospital. In 1836, he hired a famous architect, Decimus Burton. He paid Burton to redesign St Mary's Church nearby. He also planted a long avenue of trees. These trees are known as Ilex Avenue. He also built another house called Highdown Tower.
Marriage and Public Life
In 1848, David Lyon married Blanche Augusta Bury. She was the daughter of a well-known novelist, Lady Charlotte Bury. David Lyon helped Blanche's mother with her debts. The couple seemed very happy to their friends. David was known for his love of yachting. He was also known for being very rich. In 1851, he became the High Sheriff of Sussex. This was an important local role.
Later, David and Blanche had a public disagreement. They went to court, but the issue was settled privately. A year later, David announced that Blanche had left their home. He said he would not pay for any debts she made. Blanche replied that she left because of his actions towards her.
In 1860, David Lyon bought Balintore Castle. This castle was in Angus, Scotland. This was the area where his family came from. Besides his country estates, he also owned a house in London.
David Lyon's Death
David Lyon died on April 8, 1872. He was 77 years old. He passed away at his winter home in Nice, France. His family did not know he was ill because of a delay in messages. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery in London. His grave is near that of Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle.
David Lyon left Goring Hall and Balintore Castle to his only surviving brother, William. He left other property to his nephew, Arthur James Fremantle. His wife, Blanche, had been separated from him for a long time. After his death, she was sued by a butcher. It was said that even though she had a good income, she spent too much money.
David Lyon's famous portrait stayed in his family for many years. It was later sold and bought by Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza.
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