Ralph Stawell Dutton, 8th Baron Sherborne
Encyclopedia
Ralph Stawell Dutton, 8th Baron Sherborne (1898–1985) was the 8th and last Baron Sherborne
. He created the gardens at Hinton Ampner
near Alresford
in Hampshire
, England
, and on his death left the house and garden to the National Trust
. It is now open to the public.
Ralph Dutton was the only son of Henry John Dutton (1847–1935) and Eleanor Cave (died 1946), the last of four children, with three elder sisters.
He started to create the garden at Hinton Ampner in the 1930s, with funding from his father. Previously, the parkland came directly up to the house, which was designed to be a hunting lodge.
The house, originally built in 1793, was remodelled extensively in 1867, but was restored to its original state in 1935 by Ralph Dutton, on the death of his father. It was badly damaged by fire in 1960, but Dutton restored it again.
Dutton authored the book "A Hampshire Manor" that chronicles the history of the manor at Hinton Ampner and its gardens.
Dutton collected paintings, hung in the house, including a set of paintings of the four seasons by Jacob de Wit
, depicting cherubs painted in a three dimensional monochrome style. He also had a well-stocked library in the house, which was damaged in the fire.
Other non-fiction books authored by the 8th Baron Sherborne:
Dutton was appointed High Sheriff of Hampshire
for 1944. He was also Trustee of the Wallace Collection. He became the 8th Baron Sherborne on the death of Charles Dutton, 7th Baron Sherborne in 1982. With no direct heirs and unmarried, he gave his estate, including Hinton Ampner, to the National Trust on his death in 1985.
Baron Sherborne
Lord Sherborne, Baron of Sherborne, in the County of Gloucester, was a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1784 for James Dutton, who had earlier represented Gloucestershire in Parliament. He was the son of James Dutton by Anne Dutton, daughter of Sir Ralph Dutton, 1st Baronet...
. He created the gardens at Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner House is a stately home with gardens within the parish of Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire, England.The house and garden are owned by the National Trust and are open to the public....
near Alresford
New Alresford
New Alresford or simply Alresford is a small town and civil parish in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England. It is situated some 12 km north-east of the city of Winchester and 20 km south-west of the town of Alton...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and on his death left the house and garden to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. It is now open to the public.
Ralph Dutton was the only son of Henry John Dutton (1847–1935) and Eleanor Cave (died 1946), the last of four children, with three elder sisters.
He started to create the garden at Hinton Ampner in the 1930s, with funding from his father. Previously, the parkland came directly up to the house, which was designed to be a hunting lodge.
The house, originally built in 1793, was remodelled extensively in 1867, but was restored to its original state in 1935 by Ralph Dutton, on the death of his father. It was badly damaged by fire in 1960, but Dutton restored it again.
Dutton authored the book "A Hampshire Manor" that chronicles the history of the manor at Hinton Ampner and its gardens.
Dutton collected paintings, hung in the house, including a set of paintings of the four seasons by Jacob de Wit
Jacob de Wit
Jacob de Wit was a Dutch artist and interior decorator who painted many religious scenes.-Biography:De Wit was born in Amsterdam, and became famous for his door and ceiling paintings. He lived on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam, and many of the buildings on the Keizersgracht still have door or...
, depicting cherubs painted in a three dimensional monochrome style. He also had a well-stocked library in the house, which was damaged in the fire.
Other non-fiction books authored by the 8th Baron Sherborne:
- The English Country House [1935]
- The English Garden [1937]
- The Land Of France (w Lord HOLDEN) [1939]
- The English Interior [1948]
- Wessex, [1950]
- The Age Of Wren [1951]
- London Homes [1952]
- Normandy And Brittany [1953]
- The Victorian Home [1954]
- The Châteaux Of France [1957]
- English Court Life [1963]
Dutton was appointed High Sheriff of Hampshire
High Sheriff of Hampshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Hampshire, the title was often given as High Sheriff of the County of Southampton until 1959.-List of High Sheriffs:*1070–1096: Hugh de Port *1105: Henry de Port *1129: William de Pont de l'Arche...
for 1944. He was also Trustee of the Wallace Collection. He became the 8th Baron Sherborne on the death of Charles Dutton, 7th Baron Sherborne in 1982. With no direct heirs and unmarried, he gave his estate, including Hinton Ampner, to the National Trust on his death in 1985.