Sir Alexander Leith, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Leith, 1st Baronet MC
(24 September 1869 – 9 November 1956) was a British benefactor.
Leith was the son of Walter Leith, of Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
, and Walmer Court, Kent
and was educated at Harrow
and Brasenose College, Oxford
. He served in World War I
and was awarded the Military Cross
. In 1919 he was created a Baronet.
Leith was High Sheriff of Northumberland
in 1923 and later a Deputy Lieutenant
of that county. He presented the Gosforth Cup to Newcastle Racecourse in 1951. His seat was at Greycourt, near Riding Hall, Hexham.
Leith died in November 1956, aged 87, when the baronetcy became extinct.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(24 September 1869 – 9 November 1956) was a British benefactor.
Leith was the son of Walter Leith, of Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, and Walmer Court, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and was educated at Harrow
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 Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
. He served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. In 1919 he was created a Baronet.
Leith was High Sheriff of Northumberland
High Sheriff of Northumberland
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of the English county of Northumberland.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post...
in 1923 and later a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of that county. He presented the Gosforth Cup to Newcastle Racecourse in 1951. His seat was at Greycourt, near Riding Hall, Hexham.
Leith died in November 1956, aged 87, when the baronetcy became extinct.