George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland
Encyclopedia
George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland PC
, KT
(29 August 1888 – 1 February 1963), styled Earl Gower until 1892 and Marquess of Stafford between 1892 and 1913, was a British courtier, patron of the film industry and Conservative
politician. He held minor office in the Conservative administration of Andrew Bonar Law
and Stanley Baldwin
in the 1920's and was later Lord Steward of the Household from 1935 to 1936. He was also a noted patron of the British film industry with the Sutherland Trophy
named in his honour.
, by Lady Millicent St Clair-Erskine, daughter of Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
.
. The same year he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherland (succeeding his father), which he remained until 1944. He was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in 1921 and then served in the Conservative governments of Andrew Bonar Law and Stanley Baldwin
as Under-Secretary of State for Air
from 1922 to 1924, as Paymaster-General
from 1925 to 1928, and as Under-Secretary of State for War
from 1928 to 1929. He was appointed a Knight of the Thistle
in 1929. In 1936 he was sworn of the Privy Council
and appointed Lord Steward of the Household, a post he held until 1937.
Sutherland was the first Chairman of the British Film Institute
, from 1933 to 1936, and remained its patron until his death. From 1958, the BFI awarded the Sutherland Trophy
, named after him, to "the maker of the most original and imaginative film introduced at the National Film Theatre during the year".
, daughter of Charles Butler, 7th Earl of Lanesborough, on 11 April 1912. After her death in 1943 he married, secondly, Clare Josephine O'Brian, on 1 July 1944. Sutherland died in 1963, aged 74 and his titles were divided according to their patents. The Earldom of Sutherland and Lordship of Strathnaver passed to his niece, only daughter of Lord Alastair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland
, while the remainder of his titles passed to the heir male, a distant relative, the Earl of Ellesmere
. He was a notorious womaniser, and Barbara Cartland
claimed that he was possibly the father of her daughter Raine Spencer, Princess Diana's stepmother, although she also thought Prince George
was a contender.
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...
, KT
Order of the Thistle
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order...
(29 August 1888 – 1 February 1963), styled Earl Gower until 1892 and Marquess of Stafford between 1892 and 1913, was a British courtier, patron of the film industry and 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...
politician. He held minor office in the Conservative administration of Andrew Bonar Law
Andrew Bonar Law
Andrew Bonar Law was a British Conservative Party statesman and Prime Minister. Born in the colony of New Brunswick, he is the only British Prime Minister to have been born outside the British Isles...
and Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
in the 1920's and was later Lord Steward of the Household from 1935 to 1936. He was also a noted patron of the British film industry with the Sutherland Trophy
Sutherland Trophy
Created in 1958, the Sutherland Trophy was awarded annually by the British Film Institute to "the maker of the most original and imaginative [first or second feature] film introduced at the National Film Theatre during the year"...
named in his honour.
Background
Sutherland was the eldest son of Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of SutherlandCromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland
Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland , styled Lord Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower until 1858, Earl Gower between 1858 and 1861 and Marquess of Stafford between 1861 and 1892, was a British peer and politician.-Background:Sutherland was the son of George...
, by Lady Millicent St Clair-Erskine, daughter of Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
Robert Francis St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn , styled Lord Loughborough until 1866, was a Scottish Conservative politician...
.
Political career
Sutherland succeeded his father in the dukedom in 1913 and took his seat in the House of LordsHouse 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....
. The same year he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherland (succeeding his father), which he remained until 1944. He was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the British Sovereign's personal representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland , reflecting the Church's role as the national church of Scotland, and the Sovereign's role as protector and member of...
in 1921 and then served in the Conservative governments of Andrew Bonar Law and Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
as Under-Secretary of State for Air
Under-Secretary of State for Air
The Under-Secretary of State for Air was a junior ministerial post in the United Kingdom Government, supporting the Secretary of State for Air in his role of managing the Royal Air Force....
from 1922 to 1924, as Paymaster-General
Paymaster-General
HM Paymaster General is a ministerial position in the United Kingdom. The Paymaster General is in charge of the Office of HM Paymaster General , which held accounts at the Bank of England on behalf of Government departments and selected other public bodies...
from 1925 to 1928, and as Under-Secretary of State for War
Under-Secretary of State for War
The position of Under-Secretary of State for War was a British government position, first applied to Evan Nepean . In 1801 the offices for War and the Colonies were merged and the post became that of Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies...
from 1928 to 1929. He was appointed a Knight of the Thistle
Order of the Thistle
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order...
in 1929. In 1936 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 appointed Lord Steward of the Household, a post he held until 1937.
Sutherland was the first Chairman of the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
, from 1933 to 1936, and remained its patron until his death. From 1958, the BFI awarded the Sutherland Trophy
Sutherland Trophy
Created in 1958, the Sutherland Trophy was awarded annually by the British Film Institute to "the maker of the most original and imaginative [first or second feature] film introduced at the National Film Theatre during the year"...
, named after him, to "the maker of the most original and imaginative film introduced at the National Film Theatre during the year".
Family
Sutherland married, firstly, Lady Eileen Gwladys ButlerEileen Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland
Eileen Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland , born Lady Eileen Gwladys Butler and styled Marchioness of Stafford from 1912 to 1913, was a British courtier....
, daughter of Charles Butler, 7th Earl of Lanesborough, on 11 April 1912. After her death in 1943 he married, secondly, Clare Josephine O'Brian, on 1 July 1944. Sutherland died in 1963, aged 74 and his titles were divided according to their patents. The Earldom of Sutherland and Lordship of Strathnaver passed to his niece, only daughter of Lord Alastair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland
Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland
Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland is a British peeress.-Early life:She was born Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, the only child of Major Lord Alastair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower , a son of the 4th Duke of Sutherland, and his wife, the former Elizabeth Demarest...
, while the remainder of his titles passed to the heir male, a distant relative, the Earl of Ellesmere
John Egerton, 6th Duke of Sutherland
thumb|right|200px|Portrait by [[Allan Warren]]John Sutherland Egerton, 6th Duke of Sutherland , styled Viscount Brackley until 1944 and known as The Earl of Ellesmere between 1944 and 1963, was a British peer.-Background and education:the son of John Egerton, 4th Earl of Ellesmere and Lady Violet...
. He was a notorious womaniser, and Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland
Dame Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, CStJ , was an English author, one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century...
claimed that he was possibly the father of her daughter Raine Spencer, Princess Diana's stepmother, although she also thought Prince George
Prince George, Duke of Kent
Prince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
was a contender.