John Palmer, 4th Earl of Selborne
Encyclopedia
John Roundell Palmer, 4th Earl of Selborne, GBE
, FRS
, FIBiol
(born 24 March 1940) is a British
peer and businessman. He is one of the hereditary peers elected to remain in the House of Lords
after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999
.
The son of Captain William Palmer, Viscount Wolmer, in turn son of the 3rd Earl of Selborne
, and Hon. Grace Ridley, he succeeded to his grandfather's titles in 1971. He was educated first at St. Ronan's School
, Hawkhurst
, and at Eton College
and Christ Church, Oxford
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
in 1961, proceeding Master of Arts
.
Palmer was Treasurer of King Edward's School, Witley
between 1972-83, and a member of the Apple and Pear Development Council between 1969-73. He was chairman of the Hops Marketing Board from 1978-82, of the Agricultural and Food Research Council
(AFRC) from 1982-89 and of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
(JNCC) from 1991-97. He was also a member of the NEDC Food Sector Group in 1991-92 and a member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
1993 to 1998. From 1994-95, he was director of the Lloyds Bank Plc and between 1995 and 2004 of Lloyds TSB Group Plc.
Palmer was President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England from 1987-88, of the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene from 1991 to 1997 and of the Royal Geographical Society
from 1997-2000. From 1996-2006 he was the Chancellor of the University of Southampton
and between 2003-09 he was chairman of the trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens
in Kew
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRS
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, FIBiol
Institute of Biology
The Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
(born 24 March 1940) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
peer and businessman. He is one of the hereditary peers elected to remain in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999
House of Lords Act 1999
The House of Lords Act 1999 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was given Royal Assent on 11 November 1999. The Act reformed the House of Lords, one of the chambers of Parliament. For centuries, the House of Lords had included several hundred members who inherited their seats;...
.
The son of Captain William Palmer, Viscount Wolmer, in turn son of the 3rd Earl of Selborne
Roundell Palmer, 3rd Earl of Selborne
Roundell Cecil Palmer, 3rd Earl of Selborne, CH, PC was a British Conservative politician, known as Viscount Wolmer from 1895 to 1941....
, and Hon. Grace Ridley, he succeeded to his grandfather's titles in 1971. He was educated first at St. Ronan's School
St. Ronan's School
Saint Ronan's School is an independent co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls from 3 to 13 years located near Hawkhurst in Kent, England. It currently has about 200 boys and 100 girls, all of them day pupils, although boarding is available from time to time...
, Hawkhurst
Hawkhurst
Hawkhurst is a village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. The parish lies to the south-east of Tunbridge Wells. Hawkhurst itself is virtually two villages...
, and at Eton College
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 Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1961, proceeding Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
.
Palmer was Treasurer of King Edward's School, Witley
King Edward's School, Witley
King Edward's School, Witley is an independent co-educational boarding and day school, founded in 1553 by King Edward VI and Nicholas Ridley. The School is located in the village of Wormley , Surrey, England, having moved to its present location in 1867. The School became fully co-educational in 1952...
between 1972-83, and a member of the Apple and Pear Development Council between 1969-73. He was chairman of the Hops Marketing Board from 1978-82, of the Agricultural and Food Research Council
Agricultural and Food Research Council
The Agricultural and Food Research Council , was a British Research Council responsible for funding and managing scientific and technological developments in farming and horticulture....
(AFRC) from 1982-89 and of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on national and international nature conservation. Its work contributes to maintaining and enriching biological diversity, conserving geological features and sustaining natural systems...
(JNCC) from 1991-97. He was also a member of the NEDC Food Sector Group in 1991-92 and a member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in the United Kingdom was created under Royal Warrant in 1970 to advise the Queen, Government, Parliament and the public on environmental issues...
1993 to 1998. From 1994-95, he was director of the Lloyds Bank Plc and between 1995 and 2004 of Lloyds TSB Group Plc.
Palmer was President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England from 1987-88, of the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene from 1991 to 1997 and of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
from 1997-2000. From 1996-2006 he was the Chancellor of the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
and between 2003-09 he was chairman of the trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
in Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
.
Honours
He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1987 and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to science.Other
- In 1989 he was MasterMaster craftsmanA master craftsman or master tradesman was a member of a guild. In the European guild system, only masters were allowed to be members of the guild....
of the Worshipful Company of MercersWorshipful Company of MercersThe Worshipful Company of Mercers is the premier Livery Company of the City of London and ranks first in order of precedence. It is the first of the so-called "Great Twelve City Livery Companies". It was incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1394...
. - In 1991, he became a Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. He is also a Fellow of the Linnean Society and the Institute of BiologyInstitute of BiologyThe Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
, and Patron of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental ManagementInstitute of Ecology and Environmental ManagementThe Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is the professional body which represents and supports ecologists and environmental managers, mainly in the United Kingdom but increasingly in Ireland and Europe, and the rest of the world....
.