Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford
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Henry Thurstan Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford GCMG
, PC (3 August 1825–29 January 1914), known as Sir Henry Holland, Bt, from 1873 to 1888 and as The Lord Knutsford from 1888 to 1895, was a British Conservative
politician, best known for serving as Secretary of State for the Colonies
from 1887 to 1892.
, a prominent physician, Knutsford was educated at Harrow School
, Durham University, and Trinity College, Cambridge
, and took his degree in 1847. He studied law, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple
in 1849. He practiced law privately until 1867, when he became legal advisor to the Colonial Office
.
as a Conservative
. In Lord Salisbury's first administration (1885–1886), Knutsford served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury
and then as Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education
. He served in this role again at the beginning of Salisbury's second ministry (1886–1887), but was soon promoted to Colonial Secretary (in January 1887).
As Colonial Secretary, Knutsford was largely concerned with South Africa
n affairs, being the Colonial Secretary who granted the charter for Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company
in 1887. In 1888 he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester. In 1895, Knutsford was not included in Salisbury's new government. He was further honoured the same year when he was made Viscount Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester.
Elizabeth died in April 1855, only a few weeks after the birth of her twin sons. On 25 November 1858, Holland married Margaret Jean Trevelyan (1835–1906), by whom he had a daughter and three sons:
Lord Knutsford remained a widower until his death in January 1914, aged 88. He was succeeded in his titles by his eldest twin son, Sydney
.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, PC (3 August 1825–29 January 1914), known as Sir Henry Holland, Bt, from 1873 to 1888 and as The Lord Knutsford from 1888 to 1895, was a British Conservative
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, best known for serving as Secretary of State for the Colonies
Secretary of State for the Colonies
The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet minister in charge of managing the United Kingdom's various colonial dependencies....
from 1887 to 1892.
Background and education
The son of Sir Henry Holland, 1st BaronetSir Henry Holland, 1st Baronet
Sir Henry Holland, 1st Baronet FRS, DCL , was a British physician and travel writer.-Private Life:Born in Knutsford, Cheshire, Holland was the son of the physician Peter Holland and his wife Mary Willets. Peter's sister Elizabeth was the mother of the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, and Mary was the...
, a prominent physician, Knutsford was educated at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, Durham University, and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, and took his degree in 1847. He studied law, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1849. He practiced law privately until 1867, when he became legal advisor to the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
.
Political career
In 1870 Knutsford became assistant colonial undersecretary, serving until 1874, and in 1873, having succeeded his father as 2nd Baronet, he was elected to the House of CommonsBritish House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
as a Conservative
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...
. In Lord Salisbury's first administration (1885–1886), Knutsford served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury
Financial Secretary to the Treasury
Financial Secretary to the Treasury is a junior Ministerial post in the British Treasury. It is the 4th most significant Ministerial role within the Treasury after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and the Paymaster General...
and then as Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education
Secretary of State for Education and Skills
The Secretary of State for Education is the chief minister of the Department for Education in the United Kingdom government. The position was re-established on 12 May 2010, held by Michael Gove....
. He served in this role again at the beginning of Salisbury's second ministry (1886–1887), but was soon promoted to Colonial Secretary (in January 1887).
As Colonial Secretary, Knutsford was largely concerned with South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n affairs, being the Colonial Secretary who granted the charter for Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company
British South Africa Company
The British South Africa Company was established by Cecil Rhodes through the amalgamation of the Central Search Association and the Exploring Company Ltd., receiving a royal charter in 1889...
in 1887. In 1888 he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester. In 1895, Knutsford was not included in Salisbury's new government. He was further honoured the same year when he was made Viscount Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester.
Family
Holland married Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel Hibbert, in 1852. They had twin sons and one daughter:- Hon. Edith Emily Holland (1853–1923)
- Sydney Holland, 2nd Viscount KnutsfordSydney Holland, 2nd Viscount KnutsfordSydney George Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford was a British barrister and peer.-Biography:Knutsford was the eldest twin son of the Conservative politician Henry Thurstan Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford, and his wife Elizabeth Margaret Hibbert. His grandfather was the physician and travel writer...
(1855–1931) - Arthur Holland-Hibbert, 3rd Viscount Knutsford (1855–1935)
Elizabeth died in April 1855, only a few weeks after the birth of her twin sons. On 25 November 1858, Holland married Margaret Jean Trevelyan (1835–1906), by whom he had a daughter and three sons:
- Henry Macaulay Holland (16 September 1859 – 6 April 1878)
- Hon. Margaret Alice Holland (5 September 1861–1937), married Reginald Abel Smith
- Capt. Hon. Cecil Trevelyan Holland (26 October 1862–1941)
- Hon. Lionel Raleigh HollandLionel HollandLionel Raleigh Holland was a British politician, the youngest son of Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford. He was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Bow and Bromley in 1895. He resigned in 1899 by becoming Steward of the Manor of Northstead.- External links :...
(1865–1936)
Lord Knutsford remained a widower until his death in January 1914, aged 88. He was succeeded in his titles by his eldest twin son, Sydney
Sydney Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford
Sydney George Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford was a British barrister and peer.-Biography:Knutsford was the eldest twin son of the Conservative politician Henry Thurstan Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford, and his wife Elizabeth Margaret Hibbert. His grandfather was the physician and travel writer...
.