Antony Bulwer-Lytton, Viscount Knebworth
Encyclopedia
Edward Antony James Bulwer-Lytton, Viscount Knebworth (13 May 1903-1 May 1933), was a British pilot and Conservative
politician.
Knebworth was the eldest son of Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton
, and his wife Pamela, daughter of Sir Trevor Chichele-Plowden. Lady Hermione Lytton
was his sister. He was educated at Eton
and Oxford University. He worked briefly as a stockbroker in London
before taking up a post in the Education Department of the Central Conservative Office. Knebworth unsuccessfully contested the Labour
stronghold of Shoreditch
in 1929, but was successfully returned to Parliament for Hitchin
in 1931. The latter year he also joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
and qualified as a pilot the following year.
Lord Knebworth was killed in the crash of a Hawker Hart
at Hendon
on 1 May 1933, aged only 29. His younger brother Alexander was killed at the Second Battle of El Alamein
in 1942 and their uncle Neville Bulwer-Lytton
later succeeded in the earldom.
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician.
Knebworth was the eldest son of Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton
Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton
Victor Alexander George Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC, DL , styled Viscount Knebworth until 1891, was a British politician and colonial administrator...
, and his wife Pamela, daughter of Sir Trevor Chichele-Plowden. Lady Hermione Lytton
Hermione Cobbold
Hermione Cobbold, Baroness Cobbold known as Lady Hermione Bulwer-Lytton until 1930 was the British matriarch of Knebworth House and wife of Cameron Fromanteel Cobbold, 1st Baron Cobbold.Born in, 1905 she was the daughter of Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton and Pamela...
was his sister. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Oxford University. He worked briefly as a stockbroker in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before taking up a post in the Education Department of the Central Conservative Office. Knebworth unsuccessfully contested the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
stronghold of Shoreditch
Shoreditch (UK Parliament constituency)
Shoreditch was a parliamentary constituency centred on the Shoreditch district of the East End of London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first-past-the-post voting system.The constituency was created for the...
in 1929, but was successfully returned to Parliament for Hitchin
Hitchin (UK Parliament constituency)
Hitchin was a parliamentary constituency in Hertfordshire which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 until it was abolished for the 1983 general election....
in 1931. The latter year he also joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
and qualified as a pilot the following year.
Lord Knebworth was killed in the crash of a Hawker Hart
Hawker Hart
The Hawker Hart was a British two-seater biplane light bomber of the Royal Air Force , which had a prominent role during the RAF's inter-war period. The Hart was designed during the 1920s by Sydney Camm and built by Hawker Aircraft...
at Hendon
Hendon
Hendon is a London suburb situated northwest of Charing Cross.-History:Hendon was historically a civil parish in the county of Middlesex. The manor is described in Domesday , but the name, 'Hendun' meaning 'at the highest hill', is earlier...
on 1 May 1933, aged only 29. His younger brother Alexander was killed at the Second Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
in 1942 and their uncle Neville Bulwer-Lytton
Neville Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton
Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton, OBE was a British military officer and artist.He was a son of Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton and grandson of the famous novelists, Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Rosina Doyle Wheeler. Neville Lytton was born in India while his father served...
later succeeded in the earldom.
Further reading
- The Earl of Lytton, Antony: A Record Of Youth (foreword by J.M. Barrie). London: Peter Davies Ltd., 1935.