Harcourt Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, 1st Baron Derwent facts for kids

Harcourt Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone (born January 3, 1829 – died March 1, 1916) was an important British politician. He was known as Sir Harcourt Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, 3rd Baronet, before he became a Baron. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He worked as a Member of Parliament (MP) for ten years. Later, he became a peer, which meant he had a seat in the House of Lords.

Harcourt Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone's Career

Harcourt was the son of Sir John Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, 2nd Baronet. His mother was Louisa Augusta Venables-Vernon-Harcourt. Her father was the Archbishop of York, Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt.

When his father passed away in 1869, Harcourt became the 3rd Baronet. In the same year, he also took over his father's role as the MP for Scarborough. He held this position until 1880.

In 1881, he was given a special title: Baron Derwent. This title was linked to Hackness in the North Riding of the County of York. Becoming a Baron meant he moved from being an MP to having a seat in the House of Lords.

Before his political career, Harcourt also served in the military. As a young man, he was a lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards. On January 22, 1863, he became a major in the 1st Administrative Brigade of Yorkshire (East Riding) Artillery Volunteers.

Lord Derwent's Family Life

Lord Derwent married Charlotte Mills in 1850. Charlotte was the daughter of Sir Charles Mills, 1st Baronet, from Hillingdon Court. They had nine children together:

• Francis, 2nd Baron Derwent, born May 26, 1851, died April 30, 1929
• Hilda Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, who passed away young in March 1853
• Hon. Edward Henry Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, born November 27, 1854, died April 29, 1903
• Hon. Cecil C.E. Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, born December 26, 1856, died January 29, 1933
• Sir Alan Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, GCVO, born August 31, 1858, died July 31, 1932
• Hon. Edith Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, born June 7, 1860
• Hon. Louis Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, born February 25, 1862, died December 12, 1922
• Mary Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, who passed away young in 1865
• Hon. Gilbert Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone, born September 25, 1865, died January 5, 1949

Lady Derwent passed away in 1901. Lord Derwent lived for another fifteen years after her. He died in March 1916, at the age of 87. His oldest son, Francis, inherited his titles.