Somerset Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl Belmore
GCMG PC (Ire)
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Governor of New South Wales | |
| In office 8 January 1868 – 21 February 1872 |
|
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Preceded by | Sir John Young, Bt |
| Succeeded by | Hercules Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 April 1835 London |
| Died | 6 April 1913 (aged 77) Castle Coole, Enniskillen |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Anne Elizabeth Honoria Gladstone |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Somerset Richard Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore (born April 9, 1835 – died April 6, 1913) was an important Irish nobleman and politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party. From 1868 to 1872, he served as the Governor of New South Wales, which is a state in Australia. Before becoming Earl Belmore, he was known as Viscount Corry from 1841 to 1845.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Somerset Richard Lowry-Corry was born in London on April 9, 1835. He was the oldest son of Armar Lowry-Corry, who was the 3rd Earl Belmore. His mother was Emily Louise Shepherd. When he was only 10 years old, his father passed away. This meant that Somerset became the 4th Earl Belmore on December 24, 1845.
He went to school at Eton College, which is a famous boarding school. After that, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge university. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Cambridge in 1856.
His Career in Government
Working in the British Government
In January 1857, Lord Belmore was chosen to be an Irish representative peer. This meant he could sit in the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament. He stayed in this role until he passed away.
From July 1866 to August 1867, he worked for the government as the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department. This job involved helping to manage affairs within the country. On August 22, 1867, he was chosen to be the Governor of New South Wales. He also became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland on September 17.
Serving as Governor of New South Wales
Lord Belmore started his role as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of New South Wales on January 8, 1868. At this time, the Governor was still a very powerful figure. They were responsible to the British government, not just a symbolic leader.
On March 12, 1868, a serious event happened. Lord Belmore was at a picnic in Sydney with Prince Alfred, who was visiting. During the picnic, a man named Henry James O'Farrell shot Prince Alfred. Lord Belmore did not see the shooting directly. However, he quickly helped arrange for Prince Alfred to get medical treatment at a hospital. He also shared the Prince's wish for the shooter to be treated kindly, but this request was not followed. Lord Belmore worked hard to help calm the strong feelings and disagreements that arose after the incident.
He also helped pass an important law called the Audit Act of 1870. This law made sure that the government had to get approval from both parts of the parliament before spending money. This was a new and important rule for how government money was handled.
Lord Belmore found the summers in Sydney very hot. So, he rented a country house called Throsby Park near Moss Vale. He decided to resign from his role as Governor to protect his wife's health. He also wanted to return to his work in the British Parliament. He left Sydney on February 21, 1872.
Later Years
After returning from Australia, Lord Belmore continued to be involved in public life. He was a Justice of the Peace in several counties in Ireland and England. This role meant he helped keep law and order.
In the 1890s, he served several times as one of the Lords Justices of Ireland. He was also made Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone in 1892. This was a high-ranking position representing the King or Queen in that county. He had also been a Deputy Lieutenant before this. Lord Belmore was also a captain in the Fermanagh Militia and a major in the London Irish Royal Volunteers, which were military groups.
Family Life
Lord Belmore married Anne Elizabeth Honoria Gladstone on August 22, 1861, in London. Anne was the daughter of Captain John Neilson Gladstone. Together, Lord and Lady Belmore had a large family with 13 children: 3 sons and 10 daughters. All of their children lived to be adults. However, it was unusual that only two of their 13 children, Florence and Kathleen, ever got married or had children of their own.
Their children were:
- Lady Theresa Lowry-Corry (1862–1938)
- Lady Florence Lowry-Corry (1864–1943), who married and had children.
- Lady Madeline Lowry-Corry (1865–1898)
- Lady Mary Lowry-Corry (1867–1928)
- Armar Lowry-Corry, 5th Earl Belmore (1870–1948)
- Cecil Lowry-Corry, 6th Earl Belmore (1873–1949)
- The Hon. Ernest Lowry-Corry (1874–1912)
- Lady Winifred Lowry-Corry (1876–1959)
- Lady Edith Lowry-Corry (1878–1918), who died at Lough Yoan. A local story says she turned into a greylag goose.
- Lady Violet Lowry-Corry (1881–1969)
- Lady Margaret Lowry-Corry (1883–1975)
- Lady Dorothy Lowry-Corry (1885–1967)
- Lady Kathleen Lowry-Corry (1887–1972), who married and had children.
Lord Belmore passed away on April 6, 1913, at the age of 77. He died at Castle Coole in Enniskillen, Ireland, and was buried nearby. He owned a large amount of land, about 19,000 acres, in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh.
Awards and Recognition
Lord Belmore received several important awards for his service. On March 22, 1872, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). Later, on January 1, 1890, he was promoted to a higher rank, Knight Grand Cross (GCMG), in the same order.
Many places in Australia are named after him. These include:
- Belmore Park near Sydney's Central railway station
- Belmore Park in Goulburn
- Belmore Falls in the NSW Morton National Park
- The Sydney suburb of Belmore
- A bridge in Maitland, New South Wales
- A road and a hotel in Maitland also share his name.
Even after he left Australia in 1872, his name continued to be used for new places and buildings across New South Wales. This shows his lasting impact.
