Alexander Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie
Encyclopedia
Alexander Patrick Greysteil Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie PC
, FRSL
(born 26 November 1939), usually known as Grey Gowrie, was a Conservative Party
politician for some years, including a period in the British Cabinet, and was later Chairman of Sotheby's
and of the Arts Council of England. He has also published poetry. Lord Gowrie is the hereditary Clan Chief
of Clan Ruthven.
, the elder son of Major the Honourable Patrick Hore-Ruthven
, only surviving son of the 1st Baron Gowrie
and his wife Lady Gowrie
. His mother was Pamela Margaret Fletcher (who later married Major Derek Cooper
. His younger brother is Malise Ruthven
. His father was killed in action in 1942, at which point he became his grandfather's heir apparent
. When his grandfather was created Earl of Gowrie
in 1945 he became known by the courtesy title
Viscount Ruthven of Canberra. He was educated at Eton
and Balliol College, Oxford
, and later at Harvard University
. He succeeded in the earldom of Gowrie on the death of his grandfather on 2 May 1955, and also succeeded his great-uncle (his grandfather's elder brother) the 10th Lord Ruthven of Freeland as 3rd Baron Ruthven of Gowrie on 16 April 1956 (the Scottish lordship of Ruthven of Freeland passed instead via the female line). Lord Gowrie inherited Castlemartin House and Estate
at Kilcullen
, County Kildare
, Ireland, from his great-aunt Sheelagh Blacker in 1967, and later sold it to Tony O'Reilly
.
, a post he held until 1974. He later served under Margaret Thatcher
as Minister of State for Employment between 1979 and 1981, as Minister of State for Northern Ireland
between 1981 and 1983 at the Northern Ireland Office
. In 1983 he was sworn of the Privy Council
and entered the cabinet as Minister for the Arts
, which he remained until 1985. He was also Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
between 1984 and 1985. He resigned as Minister for the Arts in 1985, stating that it was impossible for him to live in London on the £33,000 salary provided for the post.
(1985–1994) and later of the Arts Council of England - described as "the appointment of a Scot, born in Ireland and living in Wales". At the Arts Council he secured the role as a distributor of funds from the national lottery and had its Royal Charter
renewed.
, and later co-authored a book on British painting, published in 1975. In the summer of 1999, having been diagnosed with a serious heart condition, he checked into Harefield Hospital, and, after a heart transplant, and a long recovery, left hospital in 2000. His health has remained frail since. He became friends with his principal surgeon, Sir Magdi Yacoub
, and now chairs the institute named for him. Following his release from hospital, he published his first book of poetry for decades, "The Domino Hymn," which contains references to his illness. He was elected in 2003 a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature
In January 2009, Grey Gowrie accepted Farad Azima
's invitation to chair the Advisory Board of the Iran Heritage Foundation.
Lord Gowrie and Alexandra Bingley were divorced in 1974. He married Adelheid Gräfin von der Schulenburg (b. 24 October 1943), sixth and youngest child and fifth and youngest daughter of Fritz-Dietlof von der Schulenburg
(1902-10 August 1944) and his wife Charlotte Kotelmann, on 2 November 1974.
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Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, FRSL
Royal Society of Literature
The Royal Society of Literature is the "senior literary organisation in Britain". It was founded in 1820 by George IV, in order to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". The Society's first president was Thomas Burgess, who later became the Bishop of Salisbury...
(born 26 November 1939), usually known as Grey Gowrie, was a Conservative Party
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...
politician for some years, including a period in the British Cabinet, and was later Chairman of Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
and of the Arts Council of England. He has also published poetry. Lord Gowrie is the hereditary Clan Chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of Clan Ruthven.
Background and education
Ruthven was born in IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, the elder son of Major the Honourable Patrick Hore-Ruthven
Patrick Hore-Ruthven
Major The Honourable Alexander Hardinge Patrick Hore-Ruthven was a British soldier and poet.Hore-Ruthven was born in Quetta in India. He was the only surviving child of Alexander Hore-Ruthven and his wife, Zara Eileen née Pollok.He studied at Cambridge University from 1931...
, only surviving son of the 1st Baron Gowrie
Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
Brigadier General Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO & Bar, PC was a British soldier and colonial governor and the tenth Governor-General of Australia. Serving for 9 years and 7 days, he is the longest serving Governor-General in Australia's history...
and his wife Lady Gowrie
Zara, Countess of Gowrie
Zara Eileen Hore-Ruthven, Countess of Gowrie was the Irish-born wife of the 1st Earl of Gowrie, Governor of South Australia 1928-34, Governor of New South Wales 1935-36 and the longest-serving Governor-General of Australia 1936-44...
. His mother was Pamela Margaret Fletcher (who later married Major Derek Cooper
Derek Cooper
Major George Derek Cooper OBE MC was a British Army officer, campaigner for refugees, and supporter of the Palestinian people.-Early life and career:...
. His younger brother is Malise Ruthven
Malise Ruthven
Malise Ruthven is an Irish academic and writer. He was born in Dublin of Irish-British parentage. He obtained an MA in English Literature at Cambridge University, before working as a scriptwriter with the BBC Arabic and World Service, and a consultant on Middle Eastern affairs. He also gained a...
. His father was killed in action in 1942, at which point he became his grandfather's heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
. When his grandfather was created Earl of Gowrie
Earl of Gowrie
Earl of Gowrie is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Scotland and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ruthven family. It takes its name from Gowrie, a historical region and ancient province of Scotland. On 23 August 1581 William Ruthven,...
in 1945 he became known by the courtesy title
Courtesy title
A courtesy title is a form of address in systems of nobility used for children, former wives and other close relatives of a peer. These styles are used 'by courtesy' in the sense that the relatives do not themselves hold substantive titles...
Viscount Ruthven of Canberra. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, and later at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He succeeded in the earldom of Gowrie on the death of his grandfather on 2 May 1955, and also succeeded his great-uncle (his grandfather's elder brother) the 10th Lord Ruthven of Freeland as 3rd Baron Ruthven of Gowrie on 16 April 1956 (the Scottish lordship of Ruthven of Freeland passed instead via the female line). Lord Gowrie inherited Castlemartin House and Estate
Castlemartin House and Estate
Castlemartin is the name of a historic house and estate, and the townland in which they sit, on the banks of the River Liffey in Kilcullen, County Kildare, Ireland...
at Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, from his great-aunt Sheelagh Blacker in 1967, and later sold it to Tony O'Reilly
Tony O'Reilly
Sir Anthony Joseph Francis O'Reilly is an Irish businessman and former international rugby union player. He is known for his involvement the Independent News & Media Group, which he led from 1973 to 2009, and as former CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company. He was the leading shareholder of...
.
Political career
Gowrie joined the Conservative front bench under Ted Heath in 1972 as a Lord-in-WaitingLord-in-Waiting
Most Lords in Waiting are Government whips in the House of Lords who are members of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. As members of the Royal Household their duties are nominal, though they are occasionally required to meet visiting political and state leaders on visits...
, a post he held until 1974. He later served under Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
as Minister of State for Employment between 1979 and 1981, as Minister of State for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
between 1981 and 1983 at the Northern Ireland Office
Northern Ireland Office
The Northern Ireland Office is a United Kingdom government department responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. The NIO is led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and is based in Northern Ireland at Stormont House.-Role:...
. In 1983 he was sworn of the Privy Council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
and entered the cabinet as Minister for the Arts
Minister for the Arts
In the United Kingdom government, the Minister for the Arts is a ministerial post, usually a low to middle-ranking minister to the much senior Secretary of State, who runs the entire department and is ultimately responsibility for the department's brief....
, which he remained until 1985. He was also Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a ministerial office in the government of the United Kingdom that includes as part of its duties, the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster...
between 1984 and 1985. He resigned as Minister for the Arts in 1985, stating that it was impossible for him to live in London on the £33,000 salary provided for the post.
Later career
After leaving government, he became Chairman of Sotheby'sSotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
(1985–1994) and later of the Arts Council of England - described as "the appointment of a Scot, born in Ireland and living in Wales". At the Arts Council he secured the role as a distributor of funds from the national lottery and had its Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
renewed.
Writings
Lord Gowrie published one volume of poetry in his 20s, after a period working as an assistant to American poet Robert LowellRobert Lowell
Robert Traill Spence Lowell IV was an American poet, considered the founder of the confessional poetry movement. He was appointed the sixth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress where he served from 1947 until 1948...
, and later co-authored a book on British painting, published in 1975. In the summer of 1999, having been diagnosed with a serious heart condition, he checked into Harefield Hospital, and, after a heart transplant, and a long recovery, left hospital in 2000. His health has remained frail since. He became friends with his principal surgeon, Sir Magdi Yacoub
Magdi Yacoub
Sir Magdi Habib Yacoub, FRS , is Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Imperial College London.Yacoub's major achievements may be summarised:1. Established Heart Transplantation in UK and became leading transplant surgeon in the world....
, and now chairs the institute named for him. Following his release from hospital, he published his first book of poetry for decades, "The Domino Hymn," which contains references to his illness. He was elected in 2003 a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature
Royal Society of Literature
The Royal Society of Literature is the "senior literary organisation in Britain". It was founded in 1820 by George IV, in order to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". The Society's first president was Thomas Burgess, who later became the Bishop of Salisbury...
In January 2009, Grey Gowrie accepted Farad Azima
Farad Azima
Farad Azima is a British Iranian industrialist, inventor and philanthropist.His postgraduate studies were at Leeds University, where he is an active alumnus. The diversity of his life and work extends from pioneering research in new technologies, to the worlds of design, culture and the arts.In...
's invitation to chair the Advisory Board of the Iran Heritage Foundation.
Family
Lord Gowrie married Alexandra Bingley, daughter of Colonel Robert Bingley, on 1 November 1962. They had one son:- (Patrick Leo) Brer Hore-Ruthven, Viscount Ruthven of Canberra (b. 4 February 1964), who in turn had one son by Julie Goldsmith, Heathcote Patrick Cornelius Hore-Ruthven, born 28 May 1990
Lord Gowrie and Alexandra Bingley were divorced in 1974. He married Adelheid Gräfin von der Schulenburg (b. 24 October 1943), sixth and youngest child and fifth and youngest daughter of Fritz-Dietlof von der Schulenburg
Fritz-Dietlof von der Schulenburg
Fritz-Dietlof Graf von der Schulenburg-Tressow was a German government official and a member of the German Resistance in the July 20 Plot against Adolf Hitler.-Personal development:...
(1902-10 August 1944) and his wife Charlotte Kotelmann, on 2 November 1974.
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