Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford
Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford, PC, FRS, FSA (4 July 1751 – 21 October 1812), styled Lord Guernsey between 1757 and 1777, was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1772 to 1777 when he succeeded to a peerage. He was also a landscape artist.
The Earl of Aylesford | |
|---|---|
| Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard | |
| In office 1783–1804 | |
| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Cholmondeley |
| Succeeded by | Lord Pelham |
| Lord Steward of the Household | |
| In office 1804–1812 | |
| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Dartmouth |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Cholmondeley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 July 1751 Syon House, near London |
| Died | 21 October 1812 (aged 61) Great Packington, Warwickshire |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 13, including Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Background and education
Aylesford was the son of Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Aylesford, and Lady Charlotte Finch, daughter of Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. He was born at his paternal grandfather's residence, Syon House, near London. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford.[2]
Political career
Aylesford was returned to parliament for Castle Rising in 1772, a seat he held until 1774, and then represented Maidstone until 1777,when he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords. He was a Lord of the Bedchamber to George III between 1777 and 1783.[3] The latter year he was sworn of the Privy Council[4] and appointed Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard[4] by William Pitt the Younger. He retained this office until 1804, the last three years under the premiership of Henry Addington. When Pitt resumed office in 1804, Aylesford was made Lord Steward of the Household. He continued in this office until his death in 1812, under successively Lord Grenville, the Duke of Portland and Spencer Perceval.[3]
Aylesford also held the honorary position of High Steward of Sutton Coldfield from 1796 until his death.
Artistic career
Apart from his political career Lord Aylesford was an artist of some repute in the British landscape tradition. Tate Britain has 50 watercolours, drawings and prints by Finch in its collection. In 1795 an Album of Etchings by Lord Aylesford and Others was published.[5] A. P. Oppe wrote an article giving some background and listing 85 of Aylesford's etchings titled The Fourth Earl of Aylesford. The Print Collector's Quarterly 1924, Vol 11, p. 263. Lord Aylesford was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1773 and was a trustee of the British Museum between 1787 and 1812.[2]
In the Park at Packington
Landscape
Family
Lord Aylesford married Lady Louisa Thynne, daughter of Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath, on 18 November 1781. They lived at Packington Hall near Meriden, Warwickshire and had thirteen children:
- Charles Finch, Lord Guernsey (d. 18 July 1784)
- Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford (1786–1859)[2]
- Hon. Daniel Finch (25 February 1789 – 17 January 1868), artist.
- Lady Frances Finch (c. 1791 – 12 July 1886), unmarried
- Hon. Edward Finch (1792 – 9 April 1830)
- Lieutenant-General the Hon. John Finch (1793 – 25 November 1861), married in 1835 Katherine Ellice (d. 1872)
- Hon. Henry Finch (1795–1829)
- Lady Charlotte Finch (d. 17 January 1869), married Charles Palmer on 22 January 1823.
- Hon. Charles Finch (b. 1799)
- Lady Mary Finch (d. 24 July 1823)
- Lady Elizabeth Finch (d. 1 June 1879)
- Lady Henrietta Finch (d. 1828)
- Lady Caroline Finch (d. 1821)
Lord Aylesford died at Great Packington, Warwickshire, in October 1812, aged 61, from gout in the stomach. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Heneage. The Countess of Aylesford died in December 1832, aged 72.[2]
Legacy
- namesake of Aylesford, Nova Scotia
External links
References
- Debrett's Peerage, 1968, p. 102
- thepeerage.com Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford
- "FINCH, Heneage, Lord Guernsey (1751-1812)". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- "No. 12506". The London Gazette. 30 December 1783. p. 1.
- Tate Britain example - for full list click "Artist" on "Find similar artworks" near bottom of page.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Whately Crisp Molineux |
Member of Parliament for Castle Rising 1772–1774 With: Crisp Molineux |
Succeeded by Alexander Wedderburn Robert Mackreth |
| Preceded by Charles Marsham Robert Gregory |
Member of Parliament for Maidstone 1774–1777 With: Sir Horace Mann |
Succeeded by Sir Horace Mann, Bt Charles Finch |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Cholmondeley |
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard 1783–1804 |
Succeeded by Lord Pelham |
| Preceded by The Earl of Dartmouth |
Lord Steward 1804–1812 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Cholmondeley |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by The Marquess of Bath |
High Steward of Sutton Coldfield 1796–1812 |
Succeeded by The Lord Middleton |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by Heneage Finch |
Earl of Aylesford 1777–1812 |
Succeeded by Heneage Finch |
