George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Sutherland
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The Duke of Sutherland, c. 1865
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| Member of Parliament for Sutherland | |
| In office 1852–1861 |
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| Preceded by | Sir David Dundas |
| Succeeded by | Sir David Dundas |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Granville William Sutherland-Leveson-Gower
19 December 1828 Hamilton Place, London |
| Died | 22 September 1892 (aged 63) Dunrobin Castle |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | See Leveson-Gower family |
| Children | George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Earl Gower Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland Francis Mackenzie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl of Cromartie Lady Florence Chaplin Lady Alexandra Sutherland-Leveson-Gower |
| Parents | George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | King's College London |
George Granville William Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland (born 19 December 1828 – died 22 September 1892) was an important British politician. He was also known by other titles during his life, such as Viscount Trentham, Earl Gower, and Marquess of Stafford. He belonged to the Leveson-Gower family.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower was born in Hamilton Place, London, on 19 December 1828. His parents were George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland and Lady Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard.
He received his education at two well-known institutions. He studied at Eton College, a famous boarding school. Later, he attended King's College London, a university.
Political and Public Service Career
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower became a politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. From 1852, he served as a Member of Parliament for Sutherland. This means he represented the people of Sutherland in the British Parliament. He held this position until 1861. In that year, he became the Duke after his father passed away.
He took part in several important national events.
- In 1856, he was part of the British group that attended the coronation of Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
- In 1864, he welcomed Garibaldi, a famous Italian general, during his visit to Britain.
- He attended the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. This canal is a very important waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
- In 1876, he traveled with the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII) on a special visit to India.
He also held important local roles. He was the Lord Lieutenant for the county of Cromarty from 1852 until 1891. He was also the Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland from 1861 until his death. A Lord Lieutenant is the King's or Queen's personal representative in a county.
The Duke also led a committee that organized help for people. This charity work supported those affected by the Turko-Russian and Zulu wars.
Military Roles and Special Honours
The Duke held several military positions. He was a Colonel of the Sutherland Regiment of Highland Volunteers from 1864 to 1882. He was also a Colonel of the 20th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1867.
He received several special honours:
- In 1859, he became an Honorary Member of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland.
- In 1864, he was made a Knight of the Garter (KG). This is a very high honour in Britain.
- In 1870, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This means he was recognized for his contributions to science.
- He was also a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer of Greece.
Building Railways
The Third Duke was very interested in railways. He played a big part in the early days of the Highland Railway. He was one of the first people on the company's board.
He also helped build several railway lines:
- He contributed a lot to the Sutherland Railway.
- He even paid for the Duke of Sutherland's Railway himself.
- He also supported the Sutherland and Caithness Railway.
The Highland Railway company ran these lines and later took them over in 1884.
He was also the President of the Mont Cenis Railway Company. This company built the first Fell railway. This special type of railway used a third rail to help trains climb steep slopes. It operated from 1868 to 1871. It provided a temporary way for train passengers to cross the Alps. This was important until the longer Fréjus Rail Tunnel was finished.
Family Life
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower married twice.
His first marriage was to Anne Hay-Mackenzie. They married on 27 June 1849, at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire. Anne later became the Countess of Cromartie in her own right. They had five children together:
- George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Earl Gower (1850–1858), who sadly died when he was young.
- Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland (1851–1913), who later became the 4th Duke.
- Francis Mackenzie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl of Cromartie (1852–1893).
- Lady Florence Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1855–1881). She married Henry Chaplin, 1st Viscount Chaplin. She was in a railway accident in 1873 but survived.
- Lady Alexandra Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1866–1891), who passed away unmarried.
His first wife, Anne, died in November 1888. Less than four months later, on 4 March 1889, the Duke married Mary Caroline (née Michell) Blair. Mary was the daughter of Reverend Richard Michell. She was also the widow of Captain Arthur Kindersley Blair.
The 3rd Duke of Sutherland passed away at Dunrobin Castle when he was sixty-three years old. He was buried on 29 September 1892, in Trentham in Staffordshire. His eldest surviving son, Cromartie, became the next Duke. His second son, Francis, had already inherited his mother's titles as the 2nd Earl of Cromartie when she died in 1888.
Family Estate
After the Duke's death, his second wife, Mary Caroline, was known as Duchess Blair. She later built Carbisdale Castle between 1906 and 1917. She also lived at Sutherland Grange near Windsor. She married a third time in 1896 to Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, who was a Member of Parliament. She received a large income until her death.
