Henry Lowther (politician)

Colonel Henry Cecil Lowther, DL, JP (27 July 1790 – 6 December 1867) was an English Conservative politician and an amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1843. His long service in the House of Commons saw him become the Father of the House.

Early life

Lowther was born on 27 July 1790 at Lowther Castle, Westmorland. He was the second son of William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, and his wife Lady Augusta (née Fane) (eldest daughter of John Fane, 9th Earl of Westmorland and, his first wife, Augusta Bertie, a granddaughter of Robert Bertie, 1st Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven).

Lowther was Educated at Westminster School

Career

He entered the army on 16 July 1807 as a cornet in the 7th Hussars. He was promoted lieutenant on 21 July 1808 and captain on 4 October 1810. He served with the 7th Hussars during the campaign of 1809 in Spain, including the battles of Mayorga, Sahagún, Benevente, and the retreat to Corunna. From 1812 until 1814, he was in Wellington's army during the Peninsular War, and was made a major in the 10th Hussars on 12 November 1815. He received the Peninsular Medal with three clasps after the war. On 20 April 1817 he went into the 12th Regiment of Foot as a lieutenant-colonel, with which rank he retired on half-pay. In 1830, he transferred to the 44th Foot. He raised six part-time Troops of Westmorland Yeomanry Cavalry across Westmorland and Cumberland at his own expense in 1819 and commanded them until he was appointed colonel of the Royal Cumberland Militia in 1830.

Political career

First elected in 1812 for Westmorland, a constituency long in the family interest, he continued to be returned until his death on 6 December 1867 at Barleythorpe Hall, Rutland. In 1862, he became Father of the House. He was the last MP elected during the reign of George III.

Cricket career

Between 1818 and 1839, Lowther played in 47 first-class cricket matches. A right-handed batsman and right arm slow roundarm bowler, he played most frequently for MCC. He played for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players series and also played once for both Hampshire and Surrey sides.

Personal life

On 19 May 1817, Lowther was married to Lady Lucy Eleanor Sherard, daughter of Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough and the former Eleanor Monckton (second daughter and co-heiress of Col. Hon. John Monckton of Fineshade Abbey, eldest son, by his second wife, of John Monckton, 1st Viscount Galway). Together, they were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, including:

• Lady Eleanor Cecily Lowther (d. 1894), who married John Talbot Clifton, eldest son and heir of Thomas Clifton of Clifton Hall and Lytham Hall, in 1844.
• Lady Augusta Mary Lowther (d. 1916), who married the Hon. Gerard Noel, a son of Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough.
• Henry Lowther, 3rd Earl of Lonsdale (1818–1876), who married Emily Susan Caulfeild, the daughter of St George Caulfeild of Donamon Castle.
• Arthur Lowther (1820–1855), who died unmarried.
• William Lowther (1821–1912), who married Hon. Charlotte Alice Parke, third daughter and co-heiress of James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale, in 1853.
• Constantia Lowther (1831–1864), who married Maj.-Gen. Robert Blücher Wood, fifth son of Col. Thomas Wood and wife Lady Caroline Stewart (a daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry) in 1850.

Lady Lucy died 8 June 1848. Lowther died on 6 December 1867. In 1873, his children were granted the style and precedence of the younger son of an Earl by Royal Warrant.