Thomas Robinson, 2nd Earl de Grey
Encyclopedia
Thomas Philip de Grey, 2nd Earl de Grey KG, PC, FRS (8 December 1781 – 14 November 1859), known as The Lord Grantham from 1786 to 1833, was a British Tory politician and statesman of the 19th century. Born Thomas Robinson, his surname was Weddell from 1803 and de Grey from 1833.
and his wife, Mary
, a daughter of the Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey
and younger sister of the Amabel Hume-Campbell, 1st Countess de Grey. Prime Minister Lord Goderich
was his younger brother. He succeeded his father as third baron in 1786, and became the sixth baronet Robinson of Newby
in 1792. In 1833 he succeeded his aunt as second Earl de Grey according to a special remainder and also inherited the Wrest Park estate in Silsoe
, Bedfordshire
. In 1798 he was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge
, graduating MA in 1801. He became second Earl de Grey and Baron Lucas of Crudwell in 1833.
and held similar position under Queen Victoria. Thomas de Grey was nominated as Lord Lieutenant
of Bedfordshire
in 1818, an office which he held until his death. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
from September 1841 to July 1844.
in 1837 becoming Royal Institute of British Architects in London
. Earl de Grey was also a fellow of the Royal Society
, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and served as one of the New Buckingham Palace Commissioners from 1848. Besides remodelling his London home at No.4 St James's Square (now the Naval & Military Club) he designed the new Wrest House inspired by French architecture at his Wrest Park estate in Bedfordshire
between February 1833 and October 1839, assisted by James Clephan, and maintained the Park adding a number of decorations and statues.
.
Background and education
de Grey was the eldest son of Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron GranthamThomas Robinson, 2nd Baron Grantham
Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron Grantham PC was a British politician and statesman. He notably served as Foreign Secretary between 1782 and 1783.-Background and education:...
and his wife, Mary
Mary Robinson, Baroness Grantham
Mary Jemima Robinson, Baroness Grantham was a British peeress.Born Lady Mary Jemima Yorke, she was the second daughter of Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey and Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke and was educated privately at the family home, Wrest Park...
, a daughter of the Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey
Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey
Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey and Countess of Hardwicke was a British peeress.She was a daughter of John Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland and Lady Amabel Grey. Her maternal grandparents were Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent and Jemima Crew.On 22 May 1740, she married Hon...
and younger sister of the Amabel Hume-Campbell, 1st Countess de Grey. Prime Minister Lord Goderich
Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich
Frederick John Robinson, 1st Earl of Ripon PC , styled The Honourable F. J. Robinson until 1827 and known as The Viscount Goderich between 1827 and 1833, the name by which he is best known to history, was a British statesman...
was his younger brother. He succeeded his father as third baron in 1786, and became the sixth baronet Robinson of Newby
Newby
-Places in northern England:*Newby, Cumbria*Newby, Lancashire*Newby, Craven, North Yorkshire*Newby, Hambleton, North Yorkshire*Newby, Huby, Harrogate, North Yorkshire*Newby, Skelton-on-Ure, Harrogate, North Yorkshire*Newby, Scarborough, North Yorkshire...
in 1792. In 1833 he succeeded his aunt as second Earl de Grey according to a special remainder and also inherited the Wrest Park estate in Silsoe
Silsoe
Silsoe is a village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England.-Origin:The village name is derived from the Danish word ‘hoh’, in "Sifels hoh", meaning "Sifel’s hill". The Danes were thought to have been the earliest settlers here...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. In 1798 he was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, graduating MA in 1801. He became second Earl de Grey and Baron Lucas of Crudwell in 1833.
Political career
He was made Privy Counsellor in December 1834 while holding office as first Lord of the Admiralty till April 1835, and a Knight of the Garter in 1844. He was colonel-commandant of the Yorkshire Hussar Regiment of Cavalry for over forty years and was appointed yeomanry aide-de-camp to William IVWilliam IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
and held similar position under Queen Victoria. Thomas de Grey was nominated as Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post...
of Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
in 1818, an office which he held until his death. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
from September 1841 to July 1844.
Other public positions
On the founding of the Institute of British Architects in London in 1834 he was invited to become its first president remaining so till his death in 1859. The institute received its Royal CharterRoyal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in 1837 becoming Royal Institute of British Architects in London
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
. Earl de Grey was also a fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and served as one of the New Buckingham Palace Commissioners from 1848. Besides remodelling his London home at No.4 St James's Square (now the Naval & Military Club) he designed the new Wrest House inspired by French architecture at his Wrest Park estate in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
between February 1833 and October 1839, assisted by James Clephan, and maintained the Park adding a number of decorations and statues.
Family
Lord de Grey married Lady Henrietta, daughter of William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen, in 1805. They had two daughters - Ann Florence and Mary Gertrude. His wife Henrietta died in 1848. Lord de Grey survived her by eleven years and died in November 1859, aged 77. He was succeeded in the barony of Lucas of Crudwell by his daughter, Ann. His other titles passed to his nephew, George Robinson, 2nd Earl of RiponGeorge Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon
George Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon KG, GCSI, CIE, PC , known as Viscount Goderich from 1833 to 1859 and as the Earl de Grey and Ripon from 1859 to 1871, was a British politician who served in every Liberal cabinet from 1861 until his death forty-eight years later.-Background...
.