John Palmer, 4th Earl of Selborne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Selborne
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| President of the Royal Geographical Society |
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| In office 1997–2000 |
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| Preceded by | The Earl Jellicoe |
| Succeeded by | Sir Ronald Cooke |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| as a hereditary peer 23 December 1971 – 11 November 1999 |
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| Preceded by | The 3rd Earl of Selborne |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| as an elected hereditary peer 11 November 1999 – 26 March 2020 |
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| Election | 1999 |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | The 6th Baron Sandhurst |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 March 1940 |
| Died | 12 February 2021 (aged 80) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Conservative (until 2019) |
| Spouse | Joanna van Antwerp James |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Roundell Palmer, 3rd Earl of Selborne (grandfather) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
John Roundell Palmer, the 4th Earl of Selborne (born March 24, 1940 – died February 12, 2021), was an important person in Britain. He was known as a peer, which is a member of the House of Lords, a part of the UK Parliament. He was also an expert in ecology, which is the study of how living things interact with their environment, and a successful businessman.
He was one of the special members of the House of Lords who inherited their position and were chosen to stay after a big change in 1999. He first belonged to the Conservative Party but later became independent. He retired from the House of Lords in 2020.
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Early Life and Education
John Palmer was the son of Captain William Palmer, Viscount Wolmer. Sadly, his father passed away in 1942 during a training exercise. Because of this, John inherited his grandfather's titles in 1971.
He went to St. Ronan's School and then to Eton College, which are both well-known schools. After that, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and later a Master of Arts degree.
His Important Work
Lord Selborne had many important roles throughout his career. He often worked with groups focused on farming, food, and the environment.
Agriculture and Environment
He was involved with the Apple and Pear Development Council from 1969 to 1973. He also chaired the Hops Marketing Board from 1978 to 1982. From 1982 to 1989, he led the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC). This group focused on science related to farming and food.
He was also chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) from 1991 to 1997. This committee works to protect nature in the UK. From 1993 to 1998, he was a member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. This group advised the government on environmental issues.
Leadership and Science
Lord Selborne was the president of the Royal Agricultural Society of England from 1987 to 1988. He also led the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene from 1991 to 1997. From 1997 to 2000, he was president of the Royal Geographical Society, which promotes geographical discovery and understanding.
He served as the chancellor of the University of Southampton from 1996 to 2006. A chancellor is like the head of a university. Between 2003 and 2009, he was chairman of the trustees for the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. These gardens are famous for their plant collections and scientific research.
In 1991, he became a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists. He was also a fellow of the Linnean Society of London, which focuses on natural history. He was a vice-patron of the Royal Entomological Society, which studies insects, and a patron of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Honors and Awards
Lord Selborne received special honors for his work. In 1987, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). Later, in 2011, he was awarded the even higher honor of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE). These awards recognized his important contributions to science and public service.
Family Life
In 1969, John Palmer married Joanna van Antwerp James. They had four children together:
- William Lewis Palmer, who was born in 1971. He later became the 5th Earl of Selborne.
- Hon. George Horsley Palmer, born in 1974.
- Hon. Luke James Palmer, also born in 1974 (he was George's twin).
- Lady Emily Sophia Palmer, born in 1978.
Lord Selborne passed away in February 2021, at the age of 80.
