Roundell Palmer, 3rd Earl of Selborne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Selborne
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|---|---|
 |
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| Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade | |
| In office 1922–1924 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Preceded by | William Mitchell-Thomson |
| Succeeded by | A. V. Alexander |
| Minister of Economic Warfare | |
| In office 1942–1945 |
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| Preceded by | Hugh Dalton |
| Succeeded by | Lord Lovat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 April 1887 |
| Died | 3 September 1971 (aged 84) |
| Spouse |
Hon. Grace Ridley
(m. 1910) |
| Children | 6, including Anne |
| Parents | William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne Lady Maud Cecil |
| Relatives | John Palmer, 4th Earl of Selborne (grandson) |
Roundell Cecil Palmer, the 3rd Earl of Selborne, was an important British politician and government official. He was known as "Top Wolmer" and later as Viscount Wolmer before he became an Earl. He was born on April 15, 1887, and passed away on September 3, 1971. He held special honors like being a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) and the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (PC), which means he advised the King or Queen.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Roundell Palmer was born in the City of Westminster, a famous part of London. He was the oldest son of William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne and his mother, Lady Maud Cecil. His grandfather was Robert Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, who was a Prime Minister.
He went to a well-known school called Winchester College. After that, he studied at University College, Oxford, and finished his studies in 1909. He was also a cousin of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of Salisbury.
Political Career and Public Service
Lord Wolmer started his political journey in December 1910. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Newton area in Lancashire. An MP is someone chosen by people to represent them in the House of Commons, which is a main part of the British Parliament.
Early Government Roles
From 1916, he worked as a Parliamentary Private Secretary for his uncle, Lord Robert Cecil. This role meant he helped his uncle with his work in the government. He also helped manage trade during World War I as an assistant director in the War Trade Department from 1916 to 1918.
In 1918, he became an MP for a new area called Aldershot. He continued to take on more government jobs. From 1922 to 1924, he was a Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. This role involved helping with trade and business matters for the country. Then, from 1924 to 1929, he was the Assistant Postmaster-General, helping to manage the postal service.
Joining the House of Lords
In November 1940, Lord Wolmer left his position in the House of Commons. In January 1941, he joined the House of Lords, which is the other part of the British Parliament, taking on his father's title as Baron Selborne. From 1940 to 1942, he also worked for the Ministry of Works, helping to manage cement supplies.
Minister of Economic Warfare
In 1942, he became the 3rd Earl of Selborne after his father passed away. His last big political job was as the Minister of Economic Warfare from 1942 to 1945, during World War II. In this role, he was in charge of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The SOE was a secret organization that carried out undercover missions, like sabotage, in countries occupied by enemies during the war.
Post-War Activities
After the war, he received the Order of the Companions of Honour for his important work. He continued to be active in public life. In 1948, he was the Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, which is an old and important London organization. He also served as chairman of the National Provincial Bank from 1951 to 1953 and was a deputy chairman for the company Boots from 1951 to 1964.
Family Life
On June 9, 1910, Roundell Palmer married the Honourable Grace Ridley. She was the third daughter of Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley. They had six children together:
- Lady Anne Beatrice Mary (1911–2002)
- William Matthew Palmer, Viscount Wolmer (1912–1942)
- Lady Laura Mary (1915–1999)
- Hon. Robert Jocelyn (1919–1991)
- Lady Mary Sophia (1920–2001)
- Hon. Edward Roundell (1926–1974)
Sadly, his wife, Grace, passed away in 1959. On March 3, 1966, he married Valerie Bevan, who was from Hungary. His oldest son, Major William Wolmer, died in 1942 during an army training exercise.
Lord Selborne passed away in 1971 in Alton, Hampshire, when he was 84 years old. His grandson, John, inherited his titles and became the 4th Earl of Selborne.
