Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st Earl of Ilchester facts for kids
Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st Earl of Ilchester (born September 12, 1704 – died September 26, 1776) was an important British nobleman and a Member of Parliament. He was a member of the Privy Council of Great Britain, a group of advisors to the King.
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Stephen Fox-Strangways: Early Life and Family
Stephen Fox-Strangways was born as Stephen Fox. He was the oldest living son of Sir Stephen Fox (1627-1716). His father was known as the "richest commoner" in the British Isles. This was because he held a very profitable job called the Paymaster of the Forces. Stephen's mother was Christiana Hope. His younger brother was Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, who later became a Baron. Henry was the father of the famous politician Charles James Fox.
Stephen Fox-Strangways: His Education and Career
Stephen went to Eton College, a famous school, and then to Christ Church, Oxford University. After his studies, he went on a "Grand Tour" of Europe, which was common for young noblemen at the time.
When his father passed away in 1716, Stephen inherited many properties, including Redlynch Park in Somerset. He worked to improve the house and gardens there. He also bought more land in Wiltshire and Somerset.
Becoming a Member of Parliament and a Peer
In 1726, Stephen Fox was chosen as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shaftesbury in Dorset. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the British Parliament. He held this position until 1741.
In 1741, he was given a special title and joined the House of Lords. This is a part of the British Parliament where noblemen sit. He became Baron Ilchester of Ilchester and Baron Strangways of Woodford. In 1747, he received another title: Baron Ilchester and Stavordale of Redlynch. In 1756, he was given an even higher honor and became the Earl of Ilchester. This meant he was a very important nobleman. In 1763, he became a member of the Privy Council of Great Britain, which meant he advised the King.
Stephen Fox-Strangways: Family Life
In 1735, Stephen Fox married Elizabeth Fox, Countess of Ilchester. She was the daughter of Thomas Strangways Horner, a wealthy landowner and MP. Her family had a special rule that if she inherited their land, her husband and children would need to use the surname Strangways. So, in 1758, Stephen Fox added "Strangways" to his name.
Stephen and Elizabeth had several children:
- Lady Susannah Sarah Louisa Fox-Strangways (1743–1827), known as "Susan." She was a cousin of the famous politician Charles James Fox.
- Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Fox-Strangways (born 1744).
- Lady Juliana Judith Fox-Strangways (born 1745).
- Henry Thomas Fox-Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester (1747–1802). He inherited his father's title.
- Lady Lucy Fox-Strangways (1748–1787).
- Lady Christian Henrietta Carolina Fox-Strangways, called Harriet (1750–1815). She was known for her bravery during the American War of Independence. She traveled with her husband, Colonel John Dyke Acland, and even crossed the Hudson River to care for him after he was injured. This event was later shown in a famous painting.
- Lt.-Col. Stephen Strangways Digby Fox-Strangways (1751–1836).
- Lady Frances Muriel Fox-Strangways (1755–1814).
- Rev. Charles Redlynch Fox-Strangways (1761–1836).
Stephen Fox-Strangways: Death
Stephen Fox-Strangways passed away in September 1776, when he was 72 years old. His son, Henry Thomas Fox-Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester, took over his title and responsibilities.
Stephen Fox-Strangways: In Stories
Stephen Fox appears as a character named "Stephen Reynard" in a short story by Thomas Hardy. The story is called "The First Countess of Wessex" and is part of a collection called A Group of Noble Dames.
Stephen Fox-Strangways: Family Coat of Arms
The Fox-Strangways family has a special design called a coat of arms. It shows their family history and status. The design for the head of the family is:
- First and fourth sections: Black background with two lions walking, striped silver and red. (This comes from the Strangways family).
- Second and third sections: White background with three fox heads on a blue chevron (a V-shape), and a gold lily flower on a blue square. (This comes from the Fox family).
Images for kids
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John Hervey
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1762 Mezzotint "Ladies Sarah Lennox and Susan Strangeways, with Charles James Fox" at Holland House, Kensington. Charles James Fox stands beside his first cousin Lady Susan Fox-Strangways, holding a pigeon, while his aunt Lady Sarah Lennox (1745–1826) leans out of a window above. After original by Sir Joshua Reynolds, British Museum
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Lady Harriet Acland (née Fox-Strangways) on the Hudson River, drawn & engraved by Robert Pollard, 1784
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Arms of Fox-Strangways
