William Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough


William Henry Forester Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough, known as The Lord Londesborough from 1860 to 1887, was a British peer and Liberal politician. He was also one of the main founders of Scarborough FC.

Early life

Londesborough was born on 19 June 1834. He was the eldest son and heir of Albert Denison, 1st Baron Londesborough and Henrietta Mary Weld-Forester. Among his siblings was
His paternal grandfather was Henry Conyngham, 1st Marquess Conyngham. His mother was the fourth daughter of Cecil Weld-Forester, 1st Baron Forester and Lady Katharine Mary Manners.

Career

He was elected to the House of Commons for Beverley in 1857, a seat he held until 1859, and then represented Scarborough from 1859 to 1860, when he succeeded his father in the barony and entered the House of Lords.
In 1887, he was created Viscount Raincliffe, of Raincliffe in the North Riding of the County of York, and Earl of Londesborough, in the County of York. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 4th East Riding Artillery Volunteer Corps on 11 August 1860, and of the 1st Yorkshire Rifle Volunteer Corps on 24 April 1862. The Volunteers' drill hall in Hull was named Londesborough Barracks in his honour. He transferred from the 1st Bn to be Hon Col of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment on 9 September 1893.
Earl Londesborough was also the Worshipful Master of the Constitutional Lodge No. 294 in Beverley.

Personal life

In 1863, Lord Londesborough married Lady Edith Frances Wilhelmina Somerset, daughter of Henry Somerset, 7th Duke of Beaufort. Together, they were the parents of:
Lord Londesborough died in April 1900, aged 65, and was succeeded in his titles by his son William. Lady Londesborough died in 1915.