Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester

Giles Stephen Holland Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester GBE DL (31 May 1874 – 29 October 1959), styled Lord Stavordale until 1905, was a British peer and philanthropist.

Background and education

Fox-Strangways was the eldest child of Henry Fox-Strangways, 5th Earl of Ilchester, by Lady Mary Eleanor Anne Dawson, daughter of Richard Dawson, 1st Earl of Dartrey. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford^[1] and was an officer in the Coldstream Guards, promoted to Lieutenant 5 March 1902.^[2]

Career

From 1922 to 1959, Lord Ilchester was a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery (and Chairman from 1941–59) and of the British Museum from 1931-59. He was also a Member of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England from 1939-59 (and Chairman from 1943–59), President of the London Library from 1940–52, President of the Royal Literary Fund from 1941–51, President of the Roxburghe Club in 1940 and a Steward of the Jockey Club from 1937-40. Lord Ilchester was awarded for his work by being appointed a GBE in 1950.

Family

Lord Ilchester married, at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square on 25 January 1902, Lady Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart, daughter of the 6th Marquess of Londonderry. The society wedding was conducted by the Archbishop of Armagh (Primate of All Ireland), and was attended by the Duke of Connaught, his daughter Princess Margaret of Connaught, and the Duke of Cambridge.^[3]

They couple had four children:

• Edward Henry Charles James, Lord Strangways, later 7th Earl of Ilchester
• Hon. John Denzil (1908–1961)
• Lady Mary Theresa (1903–1948), married Sir John Herbert.
• Lady (Mabel) Edith (b. 1918), married the 2nd Viscount Wimborne.

The Countess of Ilchester died in January 1956, aged 79. Lord Ilchester survived her by three years and died in October 1959, aged 85. His eldest son Henry succeeded in the earldom.^[1]

References

• Burke's Peerage & Gentry