Sir Charles Hudson, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Hudson
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| Born | 3 April 1730 |
| Died | 24 October 1813 Wanlip
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| Nationality | Britain |
| Known for | High Sheriff of Leicestershire |
Sir Charles Grave Hudson, 1st Baronet (born April 3, 1730 – died October 24, 1813) was an important British figure. He became the owner of Wanlip Hall in Leicestershire, a large estate. He was also a director of the South Sea Company, a major trading company. In 1783, he became the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, a high-ranking local official. He was given the special title of baronet in 1791.
Contents
Life of Sir Charles Hudson
Early Life and Family
Charles Hudson was born in 1730 in Tunis, a city in North Africa. His father, Joseph Hudson, was a Dutch consul, which means he was an official representing the Netherlands in Tunis. Charles was the only son and the younger of two children. His older sister, Jane Catharine, married George Keate, who was a poet and writer. George Keate was also a friend of the famous French writer, Voltaire. Charles's niece, Georgiana Keate Henderson, became a painter.
In 1757, Charles Hudson was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists. He was recognized as someone who was very curious about "natural philosophy," which was the study of nature and how things work.
Wanlip Hall and Family Life
Charles Hudson married Catherine Susanna Palmer. Catherine was one of four daughters of Henry Palmer, who owned Wanlip Hall in Leicestershire. Because Catherine was one of several daughters who would share her father's inheritance, Charles had to make payments to her sisters. This was part of the agreement when they got married.
Hudson made the impressive Wanlip Hall even bigger and better. The house was originally built around 1750 next to the River Soar. Charles and Catherine had eight children together. After Catherine passed away, Charles married again.
Career and Achievements
Sir Charles Hudson had business interests in plantations in Surinam, a country in South America. He was also a director of the South Sea Company, which was a powerful trading company in Britain.
In 1784, he became the High Sheriff of Leicestershire. This was an important role in the county, responsible for keeping law and order. Later, in 1791, he was given the title of baronet. This is a special hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family.
Sir Charles Hudson died in Wanlip in 1813.
Sir Charles Hudson's Legacy
His Children and Grandchildren
In August 1804, one of Charles Hudson's daughters, Harriet, married Sir John Richardson. He was a lawyer who later became a judge. Harriet and John had a daughter named Sarah Harriet. In 1839, Sarah Harriet married George Selwyn. They spent most of their married life in New Zealand. George Selwyn became the first bishop there, and Sarah helped to build up the Anglican Church in the country.
The Hudson-Palmer Baronetcy
Charles Hudson's son, Charles Thomas, inherited his father's baronet title in 1813. He also took his mother's family name, Palmer, as part of his own name. Charles Thomas successfully challenged some parts of his father's will. This meant that some of the rules about how his father's money would be passed down were changed.
Another of Charles Hudson's grandchildren was Caroline Harriet Palmer. She was the daughter of the 2nd baronet. Like her cousin, she also moved to New Zealand. She married Rev. Charles Abraham, who later became the Bishop of Wellington. In New Zealand, Caroline became a well-known artist. She also worked to protect the rights of the Maori people, who are the native people of New Zealand.
Wanlip Hall stayed with the Palmer family for many years. The baronetcy, or special title, continued to be passed down through the Palmer family line. Sadly, Wanlip Hall was later torn down in the twentieth century.
