Thomas Powys, 3rd Baron Lilford
Encyclopedia
Thomas Atherton Powys, 3rd Baron Lilford (2 December 1801-15 March 1861), was a British
peer and Whig politician.
Lilford was the son of Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford, and Henrietta Maria Atherton of Atherton Hall
. He succeeded his father as second Baron in 1825. In 1837 he was appointed a Lord-in-Waiting
(government whip in the House of Lords
) in the Whig administration
of Lord Melbourne
, a post he held until the government fell in August 1841. He never returned to office.
Lord Lilford married the Hon. Mary Elizabeth Fox, daughter of Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland
and Lady Holland
, in 1830, and had ten children. He inherited in 1825 the jacobean mansion of Lilford Hall
in Northamptonshire
from his father. In 1860, he also inherited the jacobean mansion of Bank Hall
in Bretherton
, Lancashire
upon the death of his brother-in-law George Anthony Legh Keck
. Unfortunately, a year after this inheritance, Lord Lilford died in March 1861, aged 59, and was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Thomas, who became a prominent ornithologist. Lady Lilford died in 1891.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
peer and Whig politician.
Lilford was the son of Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford, and Henrietta Maria Atherton of Atherton Hall
Atherton Hall, Leigh
Atherton Hall was a mansion house and estate in Atherton historically a part of Lancashire, England but since 1894 incorporated into Leigh, Greater Manchester...
. He succeeded his father as second Baron in 1825. In 1837 he was appointed a 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...
(government whip in the House of Lords
House 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....
) in the Whig administration
Whig Government 1835-1841
Lord Melbourne's second government came to power after Sir Robert Peel's minority government resigned in 1835. Lord Palmerston returned as Foreign Secretary while Lord John Russell held his first major office as Home Secretary....
of Lord Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics...
, a post he held until the government fell in August 1841. He never returned to office.
Lord Lilford married the Hon. Mary Elizabeth Fox, daughter of Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland
Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland
Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland PC was an English politician and a major figure in Whig politics in the early 19th century...
and Lady Holland
Elizabeth Fox, Baroness Holland
Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Baroness Holland was an English political hostess and the wife of Whig politician Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland...
, in 1830, and had ten children. He inherited in 1825 the jacobean mansion of Lilford Hall
Lilford Hall
Lilford Hall is a Grade 1 listed stately 100-room home having a Jacobean exterior and Georgian interior with a floor area, located in the eastern part of the County of Northamptonshire in the United Kingdom, south of Oundle and north of Thrapston. A Grade 1 listed building is considered by the UK...
in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
from his father. In 1860, he also inherited the jacobean mansion of Bank Hall
Bank Hall
Bank Hall is a Jacobean mansion south of the village of Bretherton in Lancashire, England. It is a Grade II* Listed Building. The hall was built on the site of a previous building in 1608 during the reign of James I by the Banastre family who were Lords of the Manor. It was extended during the 18th...
in Bretherton
Bretherton
Bretherton is a small village and civil parish in the Borough of Chorley, Lancashire, England situated to the south west of Leyland and east of Tarleton. Its name suggests pre-conquest origins and its early history was closely involved with the manor house Bank Hall and the families who lived there...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
upon the death of his brother-in-law George Anthony Legh Keck
George Anthony Legh Keck
Lt.Col. George Anthony Legh Keck was born in 1784 at Stoughton, Leicestershire and was the son of Anthony James Keck and his wife Elizabeth . George Anthony Legh Keck was a member of the Legh family that lived at Lyme Hall at Lyme Park, Cheshire. His wife Elizabeth from Atherton Hall in Atherton...
. Unfortunately, a year after this inheritance, Lord Lilford died in March 1861, aged 59, and was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Thomas, who became a prominent ornithologist. Lady Lilford died in 1891.