Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland facts for kids
Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland (born 5 February 1795 – died 6 May 1873) was an important British nobleman and politician. A nobleman is someone who belongs to a high-ranking family, often with a special title like Earl.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Dundas was born in Marylebone, London. He was the oldest son of the 1st Earl of Zetland and his wife, Harriet Hale. Thomas went to two famous schools: Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. These were top places for young men to study in his time.
A Career in Politics
Thomas Dundas followed in his family's footsteps by becoming a politician.
Serving in Parliament
In 1818, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the Parliament, which is where laws are made. He belonged to the Whig Party, a major political group at the time.
Twelve years later, he became the MP for York. He returned to Parliament for Richmond in 1835.
Becoming the Earl
In 1839, Thomas Dundas became the 2nd Earl of Zetland after his father passed away. This meant he inherited his father's title and responsibilities.
Important Roles and Hobbies
Besides politics, Thomas Dundas had other significant roles and interests.
Grand Master of Freemasons
Like his father, Lord Zetland was a very important member of the freemasons. Freemasonry is one of the oldest social groups in the world. From 1844 to 1870, he was the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. This was the highest position in Freemasonry in England.
Horse Racing Success
Lord Zetland also loved horse racing. He was a senior member of the Jockey Club, which runs horse racing in Great Britain. In 1850, his horse, Voltigeur, won two very famous races: The Derby and the St Leger Stakes. Winning these races is a huge achievement in horse racing.
Later Life and Honors
In the same year he became Earl, he was given another important job: Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire. A Lord Lieutenant is the King or Queen's representative in a county.
In 1861, he became a Knight of the Thistle. This is a special honor given by the British monarch. Later, in 1872, he received an even higher honor, becoming a Knight of the Garter. He gave up his Knight of the Thistle title to accept this new one.
Thomas Dundas passed away the next year, in 1873, at his home, Aske Hall, in Yorkshire. He was married to Sophia Jane Williamson on 6 September 1823.
