Hugh William Osbert Molyneux, 7th Earl of Sefton
Encyclopedia
Hugh William Osbert Molyneux, 7th Earl of Sefton (December 22, 1898–April 13, 1972) was the last of the Earls of Sefton. He was the eldest son of Osbert Molyneux, 6th Earl of Sefton
(1871–1930)
He was educated at West Downs School
, Harrow School
and Sandhurst Military Academy. He married in 1941 Josephine Gwynne Armstrong (1903–1980), daughter of George Armstrong of Virginia
, USA. The Countess was a life-long friend of the Duchess of Windsor.
After pursuing a military career, he was appointed ADC to the Governor-General of Canada (1919), ADC to the Viceroy of India, Lord-in-Waiting
to the King (1936–37) and Lord Mayor of Liverpool
(1944–45). He was also a chairman of the stewards of the British Jockey Club
and Constable of Lancaster Castle
, his ancestors having held the Constableship of Liverpool Castle
until it was destroyed c1700.
He was a sports enthusiast and an owner of racehorses, including Medoc II (FR) which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup
in 1942 and Irish Lizard which twice finished third in the Grand National
, in 1953 and 1954. He was a descendant of William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton, who founded the Waterloo Cup
and the Grand National
.
His seats were Croxteth Hall, Lancs ; Abbeystead House, Wyresdale Forest; Grosvenor Cottage, Culross Street, W1. On his death his earldom became extinct and Croxteth Hall passed into public hands. On his widow's death in 1980 Abbeystead and the Wyresdale Forest estate were sold to the Duke of Westminster
.
Osbert Molyneux, 6th Earl of Sefton
Osbert Cecil Molyneux, 6th Earl of Sefton GCVO, PC, DL , styled The Honourable Osbert Molyneux until 1901, was a British courtier and Liberal politician...
(1871–1930)
He was educated at West Downs School
West Downs School
West Downs School, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, was an English independent preparatory school, which was established in 1897 and closed in 1988.-History:...
, Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and Sandhurst Military Academy. He married in 1941 Josephine Gwynne Armstrong (1903–1980), daughter of George Armstrong of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, USA. The Countess was a life-long friend of the Duchess of Windsor.
After pursuing a military career, he was appointed ADC to the Governor-General of Canada (1919), ADC to the Viceroy of India, Lord-in-Waiting
Lord-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...
to the King (1936–37) and Lord Mayor of Liverpool
Lord Mayor of Liverpool
The office of Mayor of Liverpool has existed since the foundation of Liverpool as a borough by the Royal Charter of King John in 1207. This changed, however, some time after Liverpool was granted city status in 1880 when it was deemed necessary for the "second city of the Empire" to have a Lord Mayor...
(1944–45). He was also a chairman of the stewards of the British Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
and Constable of Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle located in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire. Its early history is unclear, but may have been founded in the 11th century on the site of a Roman fort overlooking a crossing of the River Lune. In 1164, the Honour of Lancaster, including the...
, his ancestors having held the Constableship of Liverpool Castle
Liverpool Castle
Liverpool Castle was a castle which was situated in Liverpool, England . It stood from the early 13th century to the early 18th century.-Construction:...
until it was destroyed c1700.
He was a sports enthusiast and an owner of racehorses, including Medoc II (FR) which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
in 1942 and Irish Lizard which twice finished third in the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
, in 1953 and 1954. He was a descendant of William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton, who founded the Waterloo Cup
Waterloo Cup
The Waterloo Cup was a coursing event. The three day event was run annually at Great Altcar in Lancashire, England from 1836 to 2005 and it used to attract tens of thousands of spectators to watch and gamble on the coursing matches...
and the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
.
His seats were Croxteth Hall, Lancs ; Abbeystead House, Wyresdale Forest; Grosvenor Cottage, Culross Street, W1. On his death his earldom became extinct and Croxteth Hall passed into public hands. On his widow's death in 1980 Abbeystead and the Wyresdale Forest estate were sold to the Duke of Westminster
Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster
Major-General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, , is the son of Robert George Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster, and his wife Hon. Viola Maud Lyttelton. He is the owner of property company Grosvenor Group...
.
External links
- Hugh William Osbert Molyneux, 7th Earl of Sefton. www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
- Diaries and papers of the family of Molyneux of Sefton (1815-1953). Reference 920 SEF. Liverpool Record Office and Local History Service. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved May 18, 2010.