Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Lichfield
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Lichfield in 1986
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| Born | 25 April 1939 |
| Died | 11 November 2005 (aged 66) John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford |
| Years active | 1962–2005 |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Leonora Grosvenor
(m. 1975; div. 1986) |
| Issue | Lady Rose Anson Thomas Anson, 6th Earl of Lichfield Lady Eloise Waymouth |
| Parents |
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| Occupation | Photographer |
Thomas Patrick John Anson (born April 25, 1939 – died November 11, 2005) was a famous English photographer. He was also known as the 5th Earl of Lichfield, a special title he received from his grandfather in 1960. Most people knew him by his professional name, Patrick Lichfield.
Contents
Life and Photography
Early Life and Family
Patrick Lichfield was born on April 25, 1939. His father was Thomas William Arnold Anson, Viscount Anson. His mother was Anne Bowes-Lyon, who was a niece of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. This means Patrick was related to the British Royal Family. His parents divorced when he was young. His mother later married Prince Georg of Denmark. Patrick had one sister, Elizabeth Georgiana.
Education and Career Start
Patrick went to two boarding schools: Wellesley House School and Harrow School. After that, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 1959, he joined the Grenadier Guards, a famous part of the British Army.
When his grandfather passed away in 1960, Patrick became the 5th Earl of Lichfield. He left the Army in 1962 and started working as a photographer's assistant. Soon, he began to build his own name as a photographer. His family connections helped him get access to photograph the Royal Family.
Becoming a Famous Photographer
Patrick Lichfield became one of the UK's most well-known photographers. He was chosen to take the official pictures for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. This was a very important event, and his photos were seen by millions.
He was also a pioneer in digital photography, meaning he was one of the first professional photographers to use digital cameras starting in 1999. In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh asked him to take official pictures for her Golden Jubilee, which celebrated 50 years of her reign.
Other Appearances
Besides his photography, Patrick Lichfield also made a few guest appearances on TV shows. In 2003, he was in the BBC medical drama Casualty to help raise money for Children in Need. He also appeared in the British comedy show Keeping Up Appearances as a passenger on the Queen Elizabeth 2 ship.
Home at Shugborough Hall
Patrick Lichfield lived in an apartment at Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire. This grand estate used to belong to his family. In 1960, he gave the estate to the National Trust. This organization helps protect historic places for everyone to enjoy.
Family Life
Marriage and Children
On March 8, 1975, Patrick Lichfield married Lady Leonora Grosvenor. She was the daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster. They had one son and two daughters together:
- Lady Rose Meriel Margaret Anson (born 1976)
- Thomas William Robert Hugh Anson, 6th Earl of Lichfield (born 1978). He married Lady Henrietta Conyngham in 2009 and they have two sons.
- Lady Eloise Anne Elizabeth Anson (born 1981). She married Louis Alexander Philip Waymouth in 2013 and they have two children.
Patrick and Leonora divorced in 1986. Lady Leonora kept her title. Later in his life, Patrick's partner was Lady Annunziata Asquith, a biographer.
Later Years and Legacy
Passing Away
On November 10, 2005, Patrick Lichfield suffered a serious stroke. He passed away the next day, on November 11, 2005, at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. He was 66 years old. His funeral was held on November 21 at St Michael and All Angels Church in Colwich, where he was buried in the family vault.
His Work Remembered
Today, the apartment where Patrick Lichfield lived at Shugborough Hall has an exhibition of his amazing photographs. You can also see a recreation of his photography studio there. This allows visitors to learn about his work and see how he created his famous pictures.
Images for kids
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Arms of the Anson family, Earls of Lichfield
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Part of the exhibition of Lichfield's work, at Shugborough Hall
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Memorial stone, outside Colwich parish church, placed by Lady Annunziata Asquith
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St Michael and All Angels, Colwich
