Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland (born 30 March 1921) is a British peeress
.
, and his wife, the former Elizabeth Demarest (1892–1931), the former wife of John G. A. Leishman, Jr. and a daughter of Warren Gardner Demarest of New York City
.
Her father died while taking part in a big game expedition in Rhodesia
, contracting malaria
and dying there on 28 April 1921, aged 31. Her mother then married, in 1931, Baron George Osten Driesen, but died three months later. Elizabeth then became a ward of her uncle the 5th Duke of Sutherland
. Upon his death, she succeeded in her own right as 24th Countess of Sutherland and 24th Lady Strathnaver, whilst the Dukedom and the other titles that could pass in the male line only were inherited by the 5th Earl of Ellesmere
. She also inherited most her uncle's large land-holdings, including Dunrobin Castle
. She subsequently changed her surname to Sutherland in order to be recognised as Chief of Clan Sutherland
.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
.
Early life
She was born Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, the only child of Major Lord Alastair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1890–1921), a son of the 4th Duke of SutherlandCromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland
Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland , styled Lord Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower until 1858, Earl Gower between 1858 and 1861 and Marquess of Stafford between 1861 and 1892, was a British peer and politician.-Background:Sutherland was the son of George...
, and his wife, the former Elizabeth Demarest (1892–1931), the former wife of John G. A. Leishman, Jr. and a daughter of Warren Gardner Demarest of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Her father died while taking part in a big game expedition in Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
, contracting malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and dying there on 28 April 1921, aged 31. Her mother then married, in 1931, Baron George Osten Driesen, but died three months later. Elizabeth then became a ward of her uncle the 5th Duke of Sutherland
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland
George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland PC, KT , styled Earl Gower until 1892 and Marquess of Stafford between 1892 and 1913, was a British courtier, patron of the film industry and Conservative politician...
. Upon his death, she succeeded in her own right as 24th Countess of Sutherland and 24th Lady Strathnaver, whilst the Dukedom and the other titles that could pass in the male line only were inherited by the 5th Earl of Ellesmere
John Egerton, 6th Duke of Sutherland
thumb|right|200px|Portrait by [[Allan Warren]]John Sutherland Egerton, 6th Duke of Sutherland , styled Viscount Brackley until 1944 and known as The Earl of Ellesmere between 1944 and 1963, was a British peer.-Background and education:the son of John Egerton, 4th Earl of Ellesmere and Lady Violet...
. She also inherited most her uncle's large land-holdings, including Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, in the Highland area of Scotland. It is the seat of the Countess of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. It is located north of Golspie, and approximately south of Brora, on the Dornoch Firth close to the A9 road. Nearby Dunrobin Castle railway...
. She subsequently changed her surname to Sutherland in order to be recognised as Chief of Clan Sutherland
Clan Sutherland
Clan Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is located in the region of Sutherland in northern highlands of Scotland and was one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The clan seat is at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland...
.
Marriage
She married Charles Jansen on 5 January 1946 and had four children:- Alastair Charles St Clair Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver (born 7 January 1947)
- The Hon. Martin Dearman Sutherland (born 7 January 1947)
- Lady Annabel Elizabeth Helene Sutherland (born 16 May 1952)
- The Hon. Matthew Peter Demarest Sutherland (8 April 1955 – 5 December 1969)