Thomas Egerton, 2nd Earl of Wilton
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Thomas Egerton, 2nd Earl of Wilton GCH
, PC (30 December 1799 – 7 March 1882), known as Thomas Grosvenor until 1814, was a British nobleman and Tory politician. He served as Lord Steward of the Household in 1835 in Sir Robert Peel's first administration.
and his wife Lady Eleanor Egerton, daughter of Thomas Egerton, 1st Earl of Wilton
. Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster
was his elder brother and Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury
, his younger brother. In 1814, at the age of 14, he succeeded to the earldom of Wilton according to a special remainder on the death of his maternal grandfather. He assumed by sign manual the surname of Egerton in lieu of Grosvenor in 1821. He also inherited Heaton Park
through his maternal grandfather.
on his twenty-first birthday in 1820. In January 1835 he was appointed Lord Steward of the Household
in the Tory administration of Sir Robert Peel and the following February he was admitted to the Privy Council. However, the government fell already in April 1835 and Lord Wilton was never to return to office.
from 1849 to 1881. In this capacity, he was most notable for inviting members of the New York Yacht Club
to race in the Royal Yacht Squadron regatta open to all nations around the Isle of Wight on August 22, 1851. The N. Y. Y. C. yacht America won the event and its silver trophy was subsequently renamed the America's Cup
. Lord Wilton was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame
in 2001 in a ceremony at the Royal Yacht Squadron during the America's Cup Jubilee.
, in 1821. They had eleven children, of whom only five reached adulthood:
After his first wife's death in December 1858 Lord Wilton married secondly Isabella Smith in September 1863. They had no children. Lord Wilton died in March 1883, aged 82, and was succeeded in the earldom by his third but eldest surviving son Arthur
. The Countess of Wilton died in January 1916.
Royal Guelphic Order
The Royal Guelphic Order, sometimes also referred to as the Hanoverian Guelphic Order, is a Hanoverian order of chivalry instituted on 28 April 1815 by the Prince Regent . It has not been conferred by the British Crown since the death of King William IV in 1837, when the personal union of the...
, PC (30 December 1799 – 7 March 1882), known as Thomas Grosvenor until 1814, was a British nobleman and Tory politician. He served as Lord Steward of the Household in 1835 in Sir Robert Peel's first administration.
Background
Wilton was the second son of Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of WestminsterRobert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster
Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster, KG was the son of the 1st Earl Grosvenor, whom he succeeded in 1802 as 2nd Earl Grosvenor. He was created Marquess of Westminster in 1831. He was an English Member of Parliament and an ancestor of the modern day Dukes of Westminster...
and his wife Lady Eleanor Egerton, daughter of Thomas Egerton, 1st Earl of Wilton
Thomas Egerton, 1st Earl of Wilton
Thomas Grey Egerton, 1st Earl of Wilton , known as Sir Thomas Grey Egerton, 7th Baronet from 1756 to 1784, was a British peer....
. Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster
Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster
Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster KG, PC , styled Viscount Belgrave from 1802 to 1831 and Earl Belgrave from 1831 to 1845, was an English politician, landowner, property developer and benefactor....
was his elder brother and Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury
Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury
Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury PC , styled Lord Robert Grosvenor from 1831 to 1857, was a British courtier and Whig politician. He served as Comptroller of the Household between 1830 and 1834 and as Treasurer of the Household between 1846 and 1847...
, his younger brother. In 1814, at the age of 14, he succeeded to the earldom of Wilton according to a special remainder on the death of his maternal grandfather. He assumed by sign manual the surname of Egerton in lieu of Grosvenor in 1821. He also inherited Heaton Park
Heaton Park
Heaton Park, covering an area variously reported as , 247 hectares, , over and is the biggest park in Greater Manchester, England and one of the biggest municipal parks in Europe. The park comprises the grounds of a Grade I listed, neoclassical 18th century country house, Heaton Hall...
through his maternal grandfather.
Political career
Lord Wilton 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....
on his twenty-first birthday in 1820. In January 1835 he was appointed Lord Steward of the Household
Lord Steward
The Lord Steward or Lord Steward of the Household, in England, is an important official of the Royal Household. He is always a peer. Until 1924, he was always a member of the Government...
in the Tory administration of Sir Robert Peel and the following February he was admitted to the Privy Council. However, the government fell already in April 1835 and Lord Wilton was never to return to office.
Yachting
Lord Wilton was also a leading sportsman. Considered an expert horseman, he established the Heaton Park Races in 1827. He was also interested in yachting and was Commodore of the Royal Yacht SquadronRoyal Yacht Squadron
The Royal Yacht Squadron is the most prestigious yacht club in the United Kingdom and arguably the world. Its clubhouse is located in Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom...
from 1849 to 1881. In this capacity, he was most notable for inviting members of the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
to race in the Royal Yacht Squadron regatta open to all nations around the Isle of Wight on August 22, 1851. The N. Y. Y. C. yacht America won the event and its silver trophy was subsequently renamed the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
. Lord Wilton was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame
America's Cup Hall of Fame
The America's Cup Hall of Fame, located at the Herreshoff Marine Museum of Bristol, Rhode Island, USA, honors individuals for outstanding achievement in the America's Cup sailing competition...
in 2001 in a ceremony at the Royal Yacht Squadron during the America's Cup Jubilee.
Family
Lord Wilton married firstly Lady Mary Stanley, daughter of the Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of DerbyEdward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby PC , styled Lord Strange between 1771 and 1776, was a British peer and politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries...
, in 1821. They had eleven children, of whom only five reached adulthood:
- Lady Eleanor Egerton (1823–1824).
- Thomas Egerton, Viscount Grey de Wilton (1825–1830).
- Lady Mary Egerton (1827–1838).
- Lady Margaret Egerton (1830–1831).
- Arthur Egerton, Viscount Grey de Wilton (1831-1831).
- Lady Elizabeth Egerton (1832–1892). She married Dudley FitzGerald-de Ros, 24th Baron de RosDudley FitzGerald-de Ros, 24th Baron de RosLieutenant-General Dudley Charles FitzGerald-de Ros, 24th Baron de Ros of Helmsley, KP, KCVO was the son of William FitzGerald-de Ros and Lady Georgiana Lennox. He was born in Brighton....
in 1853. - Arthur Egerton, 3rd Earl of WiltonArthur Egerton, 3rd Earl of WiltonArthur Edward Holland Grey Egerton, 3rd Earl of Wilton , known as Viscount Grey de Wilton from 1833 to 1882, was a British peer and Conservative Member of Parliament....
(1833–1885). - Lady Katherine Grey Egerton (1835–1920). She married the Hon. Henry John Coke (1827–1916), son of Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of LeicesterThomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (seventh creation)Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester , known as Coke of Norfolk, was a British politician and agricultural reformer. Born to Wenman Coke, Member of Parliament for Derby and his wife Elizabeth, Coke was educated at several schools, including Eton College, before undertaking a Grand Tour of...
. - Lady Emily Egerton (1837–1839).
- Seymour Egerton, 4th Earl of WiltonSeymour Egerton, 4th Earl of WiltonSeymour John Grey "Sim" Egerton, 4th Earl of Wilton was a peer of the United Kingdom. He was the owner and namesake of the Lord Wilton violin. A musician, he was an associate of Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert and Sullivan...
(1839–1898). He married Laura Caroline, daughter of William Russell. They were parents of Arthur Egerton, 5th Earl of Wilton. - Lady Alice Magdalene Grey Egerton (1842–1925). She married Sir Henry des Voeux, 5th Baronet.
After his first wife's death in December 1858 Lord Wilton married secondly Isabella Smith in September 1863. They had no children. Lord Wilton died in March 1883, aged 82, and was succeeded in the earldom by his third but eldest surviving son Arthur
Arthur Egerton, 3rd Earl of Wilton
Arthur Edward Holland Grey Egerton, 3rd Earl of Wilton , known as Viscount Grey de Wilton from 1833 to 1882, was a British peer and Conservative Member of Parliament....
. The Countess of Wilton died in January 1916.