George Child Villiers, 5th Earl of Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Jersey GCH PC
Child Villiers, in 1836
Lord Chamberlain of the Household
In office 24 July 1830 – 24 November 1830
Monarch	William IV
Prime Minister	The Duke of Wellington
Preceded by	The Duke of Montrose
Succeeded by	The Duke of Devonshire
In office 15 December 1834 – 8 April 1835
Monarch	William IV
Prime Minister	Sir Robert Peel, Bt
Preceded by	The Duke of Devonshire
Succeeded by	The Marquess Wellesley
Master of the Horse
In office 4 September 1841 – 29 June 1846
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	Sir Robert Peel, Bt
Preceded by	The Earl of Albemarle
Succeeded by	The Duke of Norfolk
In office 1 March 1852 – 17 December 1852
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	The Earl of Derby
Preceded by	The Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	The Duke of Wellington
Personal details
Born	19 August 1773 (1773-08-19)
Died	3 October 1859 (1859-10-04) (aged 86)
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Lady Sarah Fane (1785–1867)
Children	7
Parents	George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey Frances Twysden
Alma mater	St John's College, Cambridge

George Child Villiers, the 5th Earl of Jersey (born August 19, 1773 – died October 3, 1859), was an important British politician. Before becoming Earl, he was known as George Villiers and then as Viscount Villiers until 1805. He was a member of the Conservative Party and came from the famous Villiers family.

In 1819, he officially added the name "Child" to his family name.

Early Life and Education

George Child Villiers was known as Viscount Villiers from the day he was born. This title showed that he was the son of an Earl and would likely inherit the title himself. His father was George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey. His mother was Frances Twysden, whose father was Philip Twysden, a Bishop.

George went to Harrow School, a famous school in England. Later, he studied at St John's College, Cambridge, where he earned a Master of Arts degree. In 1795, he worked for the Prince of Wales as a "Gentleman of the Bedchamber." This was a special role helping the Prince with his daily life.

Political Career and Public Service

When his father passed away in 1805, Lord Jersey became the 5th Earl of Jersey. This meant he could take his place in the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament.

He held several important government jobs:

• He was the Lord Chamberlain of the Household from July to November 1830. This role involved managing the royal household. He served under the Duke of Wellington, who was Prime Minister at the time.
• In July 1830, he also joined the Privy Council. This is a group of advisors to the King or Queen.
• He was Lord Chamberlain again from 1834 to 1835, this time working for Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel.
• From 1841 to 1846, he served as Master of the Horse under Sir Robert Peel. This job involved looking after the royal horses and stables.
• He held the Master of the Horse role again briefly in 1852 under Lord Derby.

The University of Oxford also gave him an honorary degree called Doctor of Civil Law.

Family Life and Interests

Lord Jersey married Lady Sarah Sophia Fane on May 23, 1804. Her grandfather, Robert Child, was a very wealthy man who owned a large part of a banking company called Child & Co. Because of this, Lady Sarah was an important heiress, meaning she would inherit a lot of money and property. In 1819, Lord Jersey added the "Child" surname to his own.

Lady Jersey was well-known in English society. She was a popular hostess during the Regency era and the reign of King George IV, often hosting parties and events. She was also a supporter of Almack's, a famous social club.

Lord Jersey loved fox hunting and was very interested in horses. He was a breeder and trainer of horses. Two of his horses, Mameluke (in 1827) and Bay Middleton (in 1836), won the famous Epsom Derby horse race. He also owned other well-known thoroughbreds like Glencoe.

Lord and Lady Jersey had seven children:

• George Child Villiers, 6th Earl of Jersey (1808–1859), who married Julia Peel, the daughter of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel.
• The Honourable Augustus John Villiers (1810–1847).
• The Honourable Frederick William Child Villiers (1815–1871), who was a Member of Parliament for Weymouth.
• The Honourable Francis John Robert Child Villiers (1819–1862), who was a Member of Parliament for Rochester.
• Lady Sarah Frederica Caroline Child Villiers (1822–1853).
• Lady Clementina Augusta Wellington Child Villiers (1824–1858).
• Lady Adela Corisande Maria Child Villiers (1828–1860).

Lord Jersey passed away on October 3, 1859, when he was 86 years old. His oldest son, George, became the next Earl. Lady Jersey died in January 1867 at the age of 81.

Images for kids

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  Child Villiers, in 1836