Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Ailesbury KT
The Earl of Ailesbury by Joshua Reynolds.
Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire
In office 1780–1782
Preceded by	The Earl of Pembroke
Succeeded by	The Earl of Pembroke
Personal details
Born	30 April 1729
Died	19 April 1814 (1814-04-20) (aged 84) Seamore Place, Mayfair, London, England
Nationality	British
Spouses	Susanna Hoare ​ ​ (m. 1761; died 1783)​ Anne Elizabeth Rawdon ​ ​ (m. 1788; died 1813)​
Children	5, including Charles
Parents	George Brudenell Elizabeth Bruce

Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury (born 30 April 1729 – died 19 April 1814), was an important British nobleman. He was also a courtier, meaning he served the royal family.

Before he became the Earl of Ailesbury, he was known by other names. From 1747 to 1776, he was called The Lord Bruce of Tottenham.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Brudenell-Bruce was born Thomas Brudenell. He was the youngest son of George Brudenell, who was the 3rd Earl of Cardigan. His mother was Lady Elizabeth Bruce.

He had three older brothers: George, James, and Robert. Thomas went to school at Winchester College.

When he was 17, in February 1747, he inherited a special title. He became the 2nd Baron Bruce of Tottenham. This happened because his uncle, the 4th Earl of Elgin and 3rd Earl of Ailesbury, had passed away without children.

Later, in 1767, he officially added the name Bruce to his surname. This was done with a special permission from the King.

Public Service and Titles

The Coat of Arms of Thomas Brudenell-Bruce

Lord Bruce served King George III in several important roles. He was a Lord of the Bedchamber, which meant he was a close attendant to the King.

For a short time in May 1776, he was a Governor to the King's sons, Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick.

In June 1776, he received a new, very important title. He was made the Earl of Ailesbury. This title had been held by his uncle before it ended when his uncle died.

After becoming an Earl, he continued his public service:

• From 1780 to 1782, he was the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. This role involved representing the King in the county of Wiltshire.
• From 1780 to 1792, he served Queen Charlotte as her Lord Chamberlain. This was a high-ranking position in the Queen's household.
• From 1792 until his death in 1814, he was the Treasurer to Queen Charlotte. This meant he managed her money.

In 1786, he was given a special honor. He became a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. This is a very old and respected award in Scotland.

Family Life

Lord Ailesbury was married two times.

His first wife was Susanna Hoare. She was the daughter of a banker named Henry Hoare. Susanna had been married before and had a daughter named Henrietta, who became a famous poet. Thomas and Susanna married on 17 February 1761.

They had five children together:

• Lady Caroline Anne Brudenell-Bruce (died in 1824). She never married.
• George Brudenell-Bruce, Lord Bruce (1762–1783). He died young and did not marry.
• Lady Frances Elizabeth Brudenell-Bruce (1765–1836). She married Sir Henry Wright-Wilson.
• Hon. Charles Brudenell-Bruce (1767–1768). He died when he was a baby.
• Charles Brudenell-Bruce (1773–1856). He later became the 1st Marquess of Ailesbury.

Susanna, the Countess of Ailesbury, passed away on 4 February 1783.

Lord Ailesbury married his second wife, Lady Anne Elizabeth Rawdon, on 14 February 1788. She was the oldest daughter of John Rawdon, the 1st Earl of Moira. They did not have any children together. Lady Anne died on 8 January 1813.

Lord Ailesbury passed away in April 1814, when he was 84 years old. He died at his home in Mayfair, London. His son, Charles, who was his only surviving son, inherited his title. Charles later received an even higher title, becoming the Marquess of Ailesbury in 1821.

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