Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond
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Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and 5th Duke of Lennox KG
, PC (3 August 1791 – 21 October 1860), styled Earl of March until in 1819, was a British soldier, politician and a prominent Conservative
.
and Lady Charlotte, daughter of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon
. He was educated at Westminster
and Trinity College, Dublin
.
's staff in the Peninsular War
, during which time he volunteered to join the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot
's advance storming party on the fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo
. He formally joined the 52nd Foot in 1813, and took command of a company of 52nd soldiers at Orthez
in 1814, where he was severely wounded; the musket-ball in his chest was never removed. During the Battle of Waterloo
he was ADC
to the Prince of Orange
, and following that man's wounding, served as ADC to Wellington. Richmond was chiefly responsible for the belated institution in 1847 of the Military General Service Medal
for all survivors of the campaigns between 1793 and 1814. (There had only hitherto been a Waterloo Medal
). He campaigned in Parliament and also enlisted the interest of Queen Victoria. Richmond himself received the medal with eight clasps.
for Chichester
between 1812 and 1819. The latter year he succeeded his father in the dukedom and entered the House of Lords
. He was a vehement opponent in the House of Lords of Roman Catholic emancipation, and at a later date a leader of the opposition to Peel's free trade policy. Although a vigorous Conservative and Ultra-Tory for most of his career, Richmond's anger with Wellington over Catholic Emancipation led him to lead the Ultra's into joining Earl Grey's
reforming Whig government in 1830 (Lang, 1999). He served under Grey as Postmaster General
between 1830 and 1834. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1830. Richmond was also Lord Lieutenant of Sussex
between 1835 and 1860 and was appointed a Knight of the Garter
in 1829.
In 1836, on inheriting the estates of his mother's brother, the fifth and last Duke of Gordon
, he assumed the name of Gordon before that of Lennox.
and Lady Caroline Villiers, on 10 April 1817. The couple had five sons and five daughters, including:
Richmond died at Portland Place, Marylebone
, London
, in October 1860, aged 69. He was succeeded in the dukedom by his eldest son, Charles. The Duchess of Richmond died in March 1874, aged 77.
|-
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
, PC (3 August 1791 – 21 October 1860), styled Earl of March until in 1819, was a British soldier, politician and a prominent Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
Background and education
Richmond was the son of Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of RichmondCharles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond, 4th Duke of Lennox KG, PC was a British soldier and politician and Governor General of British North America.-Background:...
and Lady Charlotte, daughter of Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon KT , styled Marquess of Huntly until 1752, was a Scottish nobleman, described by Kaimes as the "greatest subject in Britain", and was also known as the Cock o' the North, the traditional epithet attached to the chief of the Gordon clan.-Early life:Alexander...
. He was educated at Westminster
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
.
Military career
Richmond (while Earl of March) served on WellingtonArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
's staff in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, during which time he volunteered to join the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot
52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot
The 52nd Regiment of Foot was a light infantry regiment of the British Army throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The regiment first saw active service during the American War of Independence, and were posted to India during the Anglo-Mysore Wars...
's advance storming party on the fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo
Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo
In the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, the Duke of Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese Army seized the city from its French garrison under Brigadier General Baron Barrié on January 20, 1812 after a siege that started on January 7...
. He formally joined the 52nd Foot in 1813, and took command of a company of 52nd soldiers at Orthez
Battle of Orthez
The Battle of Orthez saw the Anglo-Portuguese Army under Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Wellington defeat a French army led by Marshal Nicolas Soult in southern France near the end of the Peninsular War.-Preliminaries:...
in 1814, where he was severely wounded; the musket-ball in his chest was never removed. During the Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
he was ADC
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to the Prince of Orange
William II of the Netherlands
William II was King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg from 7 October 1840 until his death in 1849.- Early life and education :...
, and following that man's wounding, served as ADC to Wellington. Richmond was chiefly responsible for the belated institution in 1847 of the Military General Service Medal
Military General Service Medal
The Military General Service Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1847, for issue to officers and men of the British Army.The MGSM was approved on 1 June 1847 as a retrospective award for various military actions from 1793–1814; a period encompassing the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic...
for all survivors of the campaigns between 1793 and 1814. (There had only hitherto been a Waterloo Medal
Waterloo Medal
The Waterloo Medal was awarded to any soldier of the British Army who took part in one or more of the following battles: Battle of Ligny , Battle of Quatre Bras , and the Battle of Waterloo ....
). He campaigned in Parliament and also enlisted the interest of Queen Victoria. Richmond himself received the medal with eight clasps.
Political career
Richmond sat as Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Chichester
Chichester (UK Parliament constituency)
Chichester is a county constituency in West Sussex, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
between 1812 and 1819. The latter year he succeeded his father in the dukedom and entered the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He was a vehement opponent in the House of Lords of Roman Catholic emancipation, and at a later date a leader of the opposition to Peel's free trade policy. Although a vigorous Conservative and Ultra-Tory for most of his career, Richmond's anger with Wellington over Catholic Emancipation led him to lead the Ultra's into joining Earl Grey's
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, KG, PC , known as Viscount Howick between 1806 and 1807, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834. A member of the Whig Party, he backed significant reform of the British government and was among the...
reforming Whig government in 1830 (Lang, 1999). He served under Grey as Postmaster General
United Kingdom Postmaster General
The Postmaster General of the United Kingdom is a defunct Cabinet-level ministerial position in HM Government. Aside from maintaining the postal system, the Telegraph Act of 1868 established the Postmaster General's right to exclusively maintain electric telegraphs...
between 1830 and 1834. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1830. Richmond was also Lord Lieutenant of Sussex
Lord Lieutenant of Sussex
This is a list of people who served as Lord Lieutenant of Sussex. From 1677 until 1974, all Lord Lieutenants were also Custos Rotulorum of Sussex.-Lord Lieutenants of Sussex to 1974:*Henry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel 1551–? jointly with...
between 1835 and 1860 and was appointed a Knight of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
in 1829.
In 1836, on inheriting the estates of his mother's brother, the fifth and last Duke of Gordon
George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon
George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon GCB, PC , styled Marquess of Huntly until 1827, was a Scottish nobleman, soldier and politician and the last of his illustrious line.-Early life:...
, he assumed the name of Gordon before that of Lennox.
Family
Richmond married Lady Caroline, daughter of Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of AngleseyHenry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey
Field Marshal Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, KG, GCB, GCH, PC , styled Lord Paget between 1784 and 1812 and known as The Earl of Uxbridge between 1812 and 1815, was a British military leader and politician, now chiefly remembered for leading the charge of the heavy cavalry against...
and Lady Caroline Villiers, on 10 April 1817. The couple had five sons and five daughters, including:
- Charles Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of RichmondCharles Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of RichmondCharles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of Richmond, 6th Duke of Lennox, and 1st Duke of Gordon KG PC , styled Lord Settrington until 1819 and Earl of March between 1819 and 1860, was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:Born at Richmond House, London, he was the son of Charles...
(1818–1903) - Lady Caroline Amelia Gordon-Lennox (18 June 1819 – 30 April 1890), married John Ponsonby, 5th Earl of BessboroughJohn Ponsonby, 5th Earl of BessboroughJohn George Brabazon Ponsonby, 5th Earl of Bessborough PC , styled Viscount Duncannon from 1844 until 1847, was a British cricketer, courtier and Liberal politician.-Background:...
- Fitzroy George Charles Gordon-Lennox (11 June 1820 – 1841), lost at sea aboard SS President
- Rt. Hon. Lord Henry Charles George Gordon-LennoxLord Henry LennoxLord Henry George Charles Gordon-Lennox PC , known as Lord Henry Lennox, was a British Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1846 to 1885 and was a close friend of Benjamin Disraeli....
(2 November 1821 – 29 August 1886), married Amelia Brooman and left no issue - Captain Lord Alexander Francis Charles Gordon-LennoxLord Alexander Gordon-LennoxLord Alexander Francis Charles Gordon-Lennox , was a British Conservative politician.-Background:Gordon-Lennox was the fourth son of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond, and Lady Caroline, daughter of Field Marshal Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey...
(14 June 1825 – 22 January 1892), married Emily Towneley and left issue - Lady Augusta Catherine Gordon-Lennox (14 January 1827 – 3 April 1904), married Prince Edward of Saxe-WeimarPrince Edward of Saxe-WeimarPrince William Augustus Edward of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, KP, GCB, GCH, GCVO, PC was a British military officer of German parents.-Life:...
(1823–1902) - Lord George Charles Gordon-LennoxLord George Gordon-LennoxLord George Charles Gordon-Lennox , was a British Conservative politician.-Background:Gordon-Lennox was the fifth son of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Lady Caroline, daughter of Field Marshal Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey...
(22 October 1829 – 27 February 1877), married Minnie Palmer and left no issue - Lady Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox (13 April 1838 – 5 October 1910), married Charles Bingham, 4th Earl of LucanCharles Bingham, 4th Earl of LucanCharles George Bingham, 4th Earl of Lucan KP , styled Lord Bingham from 1839 to 1888, was the eldest son of George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan and Lady Anne Brudenell. His maternal grandparents were Robert Brudenell, 6th Earl of Cardigan and Penelope Anne Cooke.He married Lady Cecilia Catherine...
; they are ancestors of Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
.
Richmond died at Portland Place, Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, in October 1860, aged 69. He was succeeded in the dukedom by his eldest son, Charles. The Duchess of Richmond died in March 1874, aged 77.
See also
- Duchess of Richmond's BallDuchess of Richmond's ballThe Duchess of Richmond's ball was held in Brussels on 15 June 1815, the night before the Battle of Quatre Bras. The Duchess's husband Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond was in command of a reserve force in Brussels, which was protecting that city in case Napoleon Bonaparte invaded.Elizabeth...
Further reading
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