Lord Privy Seal
Encyclopedia
The Lord Privy Seal (or, more formally, the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
) is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council
and above the Lord Great Chamberlain
. The office is one of the traditional sinecure
offices of state. Originally, its holder was responsible for the monarch's personal (privy) seal (as opposed to the Great Seal of the Realm
, which is in the care of the Lord Chancellor
). Today, the holder of the office is invariably given a seat in the Cabinet.
Though one of the oldest offices in government anywhere, it has no particular function today; thus the office has generally been used as a kind of Minister without Portfolio
. Since the premiership of Clement Attlee
, the position of Lord Privy Seal has frequently been combined with that of Leader of the House of Lords
or Leader of the House of Commons
.
Privy Seal
A privy seal refers to the personal seal of a reigning monarch, used for the purpose of authenticating official government document.-Privy Seal of England:The Privy Seal of England can be traced back to the reign of King John...
) is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council
Lord President of the Council
The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal. The Lord President usually attends each meeting of the Privy Council, presenting business for the monarch's approval...
and above the Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord Great Chamberlain
The Lord Great Chamberlain of England is the sixth of the Great Officers of State, ranking beneath the Lord Privy Seal and above the Lord High Constable...
. The office is one of the traditional sinecure
Sinecure
A sinecure means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service...
offices of state. Originally, its holder was responsible for the monarch's personal (privy) seal (as opposed to the Great Seal of the Realm
Great Seal of the Realm
The Great Seal of the Realm or Great Seal of the United Kingdom is a seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents...
, which is in the care of the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
). Today, the holder of the office is invariably given a seat in the Cabinet.
Though one of the oldest offices in government anywhere, it has no particular function today; thus the office has generally been used as a kind of Minister without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
. Since the premiership of Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
, the position of Lord Privy Seal has frequently been combined with that of Leader of the House of Lords
Leader of the House of Lords
The Leader of the House of Lords is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Lords. The role is always held in combination with a formal Cabinet position, usually one of the sinecure offices of Lord President of the Council,...
or Leader of the House of Commons
Leader of the House of Commons
The Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons...
.
14th century
- William MeltonWilliam Melton-Life:Melton was the son of Henry of Melton, and the brother of Henry de Melton. He was born in Melton in the parish of Welton, about nine miles from Kingston upon Hull. He was a contemporary of John Hotham, Chancellor of England and Bishop of Ely...
(1307–1312) - Roger NorthburghRoger NorthburghRoger Northburgh was Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. He served as Lord Privy Seal from 1312 to 1316, as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1321 to 1326, and as Lord High Treasurer of England from June to December of 1340...
(1312–1316) - Thomas Charlton (1316–1320)
- Robert BaldockRobert BaldockRobert Baldock was the Lord Privy Seal and Lord Chancellor of England, during the reign of King Edward II of England. He may also have been the Robert Baldock who was elected Bishop of Norwich on 23 July 1325 but resigned the office on 3 September 1325....
(1320–1323) - Robert Wodehouse (1323)
- Robert Ayleston (1323–1324)
- William AyerminWilliam AyerminWilliam Ayermin was a medieval Bishop of Norwich.Ayermin was a canon of St. Paul's, Lincoln and Hereford when he was named Lord Privy Seal about 26 May 1324...
(1324–1325) - Henry Cliff (1325)
- William Herlaston (1325–1326)
- Robert WyvilRobert WyvilRobert Wyvil was a medieval Bishop of Salisbury.He was keeper of the Privy Seal of Edward, duke of Aquitaine in 1326 when he was named on 26 October Lord Privy Seal, which office he held until the early part of 1327....
(1326–1327) - Richard Airmyn (1327–1328)
- Adam Lymbergh (1328–1329)
- Richard Bury, Bishop of Durham (1329–1334)
- Robert Ayleston (1334)
- Robert Tawton (1334–1335)
- William de la ZouchWilliam ZoucheWilliam Zouche or William de la Zouche, was a medieval Archbishop of York.Zouche was a younger son of William, Lord Zouche of Haringworth, in Northamptonshire. He was appointed Archdeacon of Barnstaple in 1329. On 12 July 1330, he was collated Archdeacon of Exeter...
(1335–1337) - Richard Bintworth (1337–1338)
- William Kilsby (1338–1342)
- John de UffordJohn de UffordJohn de Ufford, sometimes John de Offord or John Offord was chancellor and head of the royal administration to Edward III as well as being appointed to the Archbishopric of Canterbury.-Early life:...
(1342–1344) - Thomas HatfieldThomas HatfieldThomas Hatfield was Bishop of Durham from 1345 to 1381.Hatfield was receiver of the chamber when he was selected to be Lord Privy Seal in late 1344. He relinquished that office to his successor in July of 1345....
(1344–1345) - John Thoresby (1345–1347)
- Simon IslipSimon IslipSimon Islip was an English prelate. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury between 1349 and 1366.-Lord Privy Seal:In 1347, possibly in September, Simon was appointed keeper of the Privy Seal. Previously he had held the seal of Lionel, who was the regent in England...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1347–1350) - Michael NorthburghMichael NorthburghMichael Northburgh, otherwise Michael de Northburgh , was the Bishop of London between 1354 and his death in 1361.Northburgh occupied the office of Lord Privy Seal between 1350 and 1354....
(1350–1354) - Thomas Bramber (1354–1355)
- John Winwick (1355–1360)
- John Buckingham, Bishop of Lincoln (1360–1363)
- William of WykehamWilliam of WykehamWilliam of Wykeham was Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor of England, founder of Winchester College, New College, Oxford, New College School, Oxford, and builder of a large part of Windsor Castle.-Life:...
(1363–1367) - Peter Lacy (1367–1371)
- Nicholas CarewNicholas Carew (Lord Privy Seal)Nicholas Carew was Keeper of the Privy Seal during the reign of Edward III of England.Nicholas Carew was descended from the Carew family of Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire. Sometime after 1352 he married Lucy, the daughter of Richard de Willoughby, and came into possession of the latter's manor at...
(1371–1377) - John FordhamJohn FordhamJohn Fordham was Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Ely.Fordham was keeper of the privy seal of Prince Richard from 1376 to 1377 and Dean of Wells before being named Lord Privy Seal in June of 1377. He held that office until December of 1381....
(1377–1381) - William Dighton (1381–1382)
- Walter Skirclaw, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (1382–1386)
- John WalthamJohn WalthamJohn Waltham , Bishop of Salisbury was Lord High Treasurer and Lord Privy Seal of England, in the reign of Richard II.-Life:...
, Bishop of Salisbury (1386–1389) - Edmund StaffordEdmund StaffordEdmund Stafford was the second son of Sir Richard Stafford of Clifton and Isabel Vernon, daughter of Sir Richard Vernon of Haddon. He became the Bishop of Exeter-Biography:...
, Bishop of Exeter (1389–1396) - Guy MoneGuy MoneGuy Mone was an English royal administrator and bishop.He was bishop of St David's from 1397 to his death. He held the offices of Lord High Treasurer and Keeper of the Privy Seal towards the end of the reign of Richard II of England, and was one of Richard's supporters.-External links:*...
(1396–1397) - Richard CliffordRichard CliffordRichard Clifford was a Bishop-elect of Bath and Wells, Bishop of Worcester and Bishop of London as well as Lord Privy Seal.Clifford was appointed Lord Privy Seal on 14 November 1387, and resigned on 4 November 1401....
(1397–1401)
15th century
- Thomas LangleyThomas LangleyThomas Langley was an English prelate who held high ecclesiastical and political offices in the early to mid 1400s. He was Dean of York, Bishop of Durham, twice Lord Chancellor of England to three kings, and a Pseudocardinal. In turn Keeper of the King's signet and Keeper of the Privy Seal before...
(1401–1405) - Nicholas BubwithNicholas BubwithNicholas Bubwith was a Bishop of London, Bishop of Salisbury and Bishop of Bath and Wells as well as Lord Privy Seal and Lord High Treasurer.Bubwith was Lord Privy Seal from 2 March 1405 to 4 October 1406...
(1405–1406) - John Prophet (1406–1415)
- John WakeringJohn WakeringJohn Wakering was a medieval Bishop of Norwich.Wakering was named Lord Privy Seal in June 1415 and dismissed from that office in July of 1416....
, Bishop of Norwich (1415–1416) - Henry WareHenry Ware (bishop)Henry Ware was a diplomat and Lord Privy Seal for King Henry V of England from 1416 to 1418, and later the Bishop of Chichester. Originally from Wales, Ware served as a canon from the 1390s and then studied law, of which he was made a master, at Oxford University. He later became an official in...
(1416–1418) - John KempJohn KempJohn Kemp was a medieval English cardinal, archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor of England.-Biography:Kemp was son of Thomas Kempe, a gentleman of Ollantigh, in the parish of Wye near Ashford, Kent...
, Bishop of Rochester (1418–1421) - John StaffordJohn Stafford (archbishop)John Stafford was an English statesman and Archbishop of Canterbury.-Life:Stafford was the illegitimate son of a Wiltshire squire, which meant that he had to get the Pope's permission to become a clergyman...
(1421–1422) - William AlnwickWilliam AlnwickWilliam Alnwick was an English Catholic clergyman. He was Bishop of Norwich and Bishop of Lincoln .Educated at Cambridge, Alnwick was Archdeacon of Salisbury before being named Keeper of the Privy Seal on 19 December 1422...
, Bishop of Norwich (1422–1432) - William LyndwoodWilliam LyndwoodWilliam Lyndwood was an English bishop of St. David's, diplomat and canonist, most notable for the publication of the Provinciale.-Early life:...
, Bishop of St David's (1432–1443) - Thomas BeckingtonThomas BeckingtonThomas Beckington was the Bishop of Bath and Wells and King's Secretary in medieval England.-Life:...
, Bishop of Bath and Wells (1443–1444) - Adam MoleynsAdam MoleynsAdam Moleyns was an English bishop, lawyer, royal administrator and diplomat. During the minority of Henry VI of England, he was clerk of the ruling council of the Regent.-Life:Moleyns had the living of Kempsey from 1433. He was Dean of Salisbury...
, Bishop of Chichester (1444–1450) - Andrew Holes (1450–1452)
- Thomas Lisieux (1452–1456)
- Laurence Booth, Bishop of Durham (1456–1460)
- Robert StillingtonRobert StillingtonRobert Stillington was Bishop of Bath and Wells and a courtier under Edward IV of England. He twice served as Edward#s Lord Chancellor and in 1483, he was instrumental in the accession of Richard III, leading to reprisals under Henry VII.-Life:Stillington was Archdeacon of Wells when he was made...
, Bishop of Bath and Wells (1460–1467) - Thomas Rotheram, Bishop of Rochester (1467–1470)
- John HalesJohn Hales (Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield)John Hales was a medieval Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.Briefly during the restoration of King Henry VI of England in 1470 Hales was named Keeper of the Privy Seal, but he lost the office on the restoration of King Edward IV of England in 1471.Hales was nominated on 20 September 1459, and...
, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (1470–1471) - Thomas Rotheram, Bishop of Rochester (1471–1474)
- John RussellJohn Russell (bishop)John Russell was an English Bishop of Rochester and bishop of Lincoln and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Russell was admitted to Winchester College in 1443, and in 1449 went to Oxford as Fellow of New College...
, Bishop of Rochester, later Bishop of Lincoln (1473–1483) - John Gunthorp (1483–1485)
- Peter CourtenayPeter CourtenayPeter Courtenay was an English prelate. Peter was born to Sir Philip Courtenay of Powderham by Elizabeth Hungerford.Courtenay was a grandnephew of Richard Courtenay....
, Bishop of Exeter (1485–1487) - Richard FoxeRichard FoxeRichard Foxe was an English churchman, successively Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester, Lord Privy Seal, and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.-Life:...
, Bishop of Exeter, later Bishop of Bath and Wells, Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Winchester (1487–1516)
16th century
- Thomas RuthallThomas RuthallThomas Ruthall was an English churchman, administrator and diplomat. He was a leading councillor of Henry VIII of England.-Life:...
, Bishop of Durham (1516–1523) - The Lord MarneyHenry Marney, 1st Baron MarneyHenry Marney, 1st Baron Marney was a politician of the Tudor period in England. He started the building of Layer Marney Tower in Layer Marney, in 1515; this was not finished before his death and passed to his son....
(1523) - Cuthbert TunstallCuthbert TunstallCuthbert Tunstall was an English Scholastic, church leader, diplomat, administrator and royal adviser...
, Bishop of London (1523–1530) - The Earl of WiltshireThomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of WiltshireThomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, KG was an English diplomat and politician in the Tudor era. He was born at the family home, Hever Castle, Kent, which had been purchased by his grandfather Geoffrey Boleyn, who was a wealthy mercer. He was buried at St. Peter's parish church in the village of...
(1530–1536) - The Earl of EssexThomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of EssexThomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, , was an English statesman who served as chief minister of King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540....
(1536–1540) - The Earl of SouthamptonWilliam Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of SouthamptonWilliam FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton, KG , English courtier, was the third son of Sir Thomas FitzWilliam of Aldwark and Lady Lucy Neville .His father died while FitzWilliam was in his infancy, and his mother remarried Sir Anthony Browne, the elder, so that...
(1540–1542) - The Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, KG, PC, JP was an English royal minister in the Tudor era. He served variously as Lord High Admiral and Lord Privy Seal....
(1542–1555) - The Lord PagetWilliam Paget, 1st Baron PagetWilliam Paget, 1st Baron Paget of Beaudesert , was an English statesman and accountant who held prominent positions in the service of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I.-Early life:...
(1555–1558) - Sir Nicholas Bacon (1558–1571)
- The Lord BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
(1571–1572) - The Lord Howard of EffinghamWilliam Howard, 1st Baron Howard of EffinghamWilliam Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham , was the eldest son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk by his second wife, Agnes Tilney...
(1572–1573) - Sir Thomas Smith (1573–1576)
- Francis WalsinghamFrancis WalsinghamSir Francis Walsingham was Principal Secretary to Elizabeth I of England from 1573 until 1590, and is popularly remembered as her "spymaster". Walsingham is frequently cited as one of the earliest practitioners of modern intelligence methods both for espionage and for domestic security...
(1576–1590) - The Lord BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
(1590–1598) - The Earl of SalisburyRobert Cecil, 1st Earl of SalisburyRobert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, KG, PC was an English administrator and politician.-Life:He was the son of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke...
(1598–1608)
17th century
- The Earl of NorthamptonHenry Howard, 1st Earl of NorthamptonHenry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton was a significant English aristocrat and courtier. He was suspect as a crypto-Catholic throughout his life, and went through periods of royal disfavour, in which his reputation suffered greatly. He was distinguished for learning, artistic culture and his...
(1608–1614) - The Earl of SomersetRobert Carr, 1st Earl of SomersetRobert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, , was a politician, and favourite of King James I of England.-Background:Robert Kerr was born in Wrington, Somerset, England the younger son of Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehurst, Scotland by his second wife, Janet, sister of Walter Scott of Buccleuch...
(1614–1616) - The Earl of WorcesterEdward Somerset, 4th Earl of WorcesterEdward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, KG, Earl Marshal was an English aristocrat. He was an important advisor to King James I, serving as Lord Privy Seal....
(1616–1625) - Sir John CokeJohn CokeSir John Coke was an English politician.Coke, the son of Richard and Mary Coke of Trusley, Derbyshire, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge...
(1625–1628) - Sir Robert NauntonRobert NauntonSir Robert Naunton was an English writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1606 and 1626.-Life:...
(1628) - The Earl of ManchesterHenry Montagu, 1st Earl of ManchesterSir Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester was an English judge, politician and peer.-Life:He was the grandson of Sir Edward Montagu, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1539 to 1545, who was named by King Henry VIII one of the executors of his will, and governor to his son, Edward VI.Born...
(1628–1642) - The Viscount FalklandLucius Cary, 2nd Viscount FalklandLucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland was an English author and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1642...
(1643) - Sir Edward NicholasEdward NicholasSir Edward Nicholas was an English statesman.-Life:He was the eldest son of John Nicholas, a member of an old Wiltshire family.He was educated at Salisbury grammar school, Winchester College and Queen's College, Oxford...
(1643–1644) - The Earl of BathHenry Bourchier, 5th Earl of BathHenry Bourchier, 5th Earl of Bath was an English Peer of the Realm, Lord Privy Seal, and landowner in counties Limerick, Armagh, Devon and Somerset-Biography:Sir Henry Bourchier was probably born and was certainly brought up in Ireland...
(1644–1654) - The Lord RobartesJohn Robartes, 1st Earl of RadnorJohn Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor PC , known as The Lord Robartes between 1634 and 1679, was an English politician, who fought for the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War...
(1661–1673) - The Earl of AngleseyArthur Annesley, 1st Earl of AngleseyArthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey PC was an Anglo-Irish royalist statesman. After short periods as President of the Council of State and Treasurer of the Navy, he served as Lord Privy Seal between 1673 and 1682 for Charles II...
(1673–1682) - The Marquess of HalifaxGeorge Savile, 1st Marquess of HalifaxGeorge Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax PC was an English statesman, writer, and politician.-Family and early life, 1633–1667:...
(1682–1685) - The Earl of ClarendonHenry Hyde, 2nd Earl of ClarendonHenry Hyde 2nd Earl of Clarendon PC was an English aristocrat and politician. He held high office at the beginning of the reign of James II of England, who had married his sister.-Early life:...
(1685–1687) - The Lord Arundell of WardourHenry Arundell, 3rd Baron Arundell of WardourHenry Arundell, 3rd Baron Arundell of Wardour, PC was a Peer of England during the 17th century, and the most famous of the Lords Arundell of Wardour. He served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord High Steward, and was appointed to the Privy Council...
(1687–1688) - The Marquess of HalifaxGeorge Savile, 1st Marquess of HalifaxGeorge Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax PC was an English statesman, writer, and politician.-Family and early life, 1633–1667:...
(1689–1690) - In Commission 1690–1692
- The Earl of PembrokeThomas Herbert, 8th Earl of PembrokeThomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke, 5th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC, FRS was a British politician during the reigns of William III and Anne....
(1692–1699) - The Viscount LonsdaleJohn Lowther, 1st Viscount LonsdaleJohn Lowther, 1st Viscount Lonsdale, PC, FRS , known as Sir John Lowther, 2nd Baronet, from 1675 to 1696, was an English politician....
(1699–1700)
18th century
- The Earl of TankervilleFord Grey, 1st Earl of TankervilleFord Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville , 1st Viscount Glendale, and 3rd Baron Grey of Warke, was a British nobleman and statesman. He was the son of Ralph Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Werke and Catherine Ford, daughter of Sir Edward Ford of Harting in West Sussex. He was baptized the day of his birth at...
(1700–1701) - In Commission 1701–1702
- The Duke of Buckingham and NormanbyJohn Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and NormanbyJohn Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, KG, PC , was a poet and notable Tory politician of the late Stuart period, who served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council.-Career:...
(1702–1705) - The Duke of NewcastleJohn Holles, 1st Duke of NewcastleJohn Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, KG, PC was the son of the 3rd Earl of Clare and his wife Grace Pierrepont. Grace was daughter of The Hon. William Pierrepont and granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull....
(1705–1707)
18th century
- The Duke of NewcastleJohn Holles, 1st Duke of NewcastleJohn Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, KG, PC was the son of the 3rd Earl of Clare and his wife Grace Pierrepont. Grace was daughter of The Hon. William Pierrepont and granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull....
(1707–1711) - John Robinson, Bishop of Bristol (1711–1713)
- The Earl of DartmouthWilliam Legge, 1st Earl of DartmouthWilliam Legge, 1st Earl of Dartmouth , only son of George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth, succeeded to his father's barony in 1691. In 1702 he was appointed a member of the Board of Trade and Plantations, and eight years later he became Secretary of State for the Southern Department and joint keeper of...
(1713–1714) - The Marquess of WhartonThomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of WhartonThomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton PC was an English nobleman and politician. He was the son of Philip Wharton, 4th Baron Wharton and his second wife, Jane Goodwin, only daughter of Colonel Arthur Goodwin of Upper Winchendon, Buckinghamshire, and heiress to the extensive Goodwin estates in...
(1714–1715) - In Commission 1715
- The Earl of SunderlandCharles Spencer, 3rd Earl of SunderlandSir Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland KG PC , known as Lord Spencer from 1688 to 1702, was an English statesman...
(1715–1716) - The Duke of Kingston (1716–1718)
- The Duke of KentHenry Grey, 1st Duke of KentHenry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent KG PC was a British politician and courtier.-Family:He was a son of Anthony Grey, 11th Earl of Kent and Mary Grey, 1st Baroness Lucas of Crudwell...
(1718–1719) - The Duke of Kingston (1720–1726)
- The Lord TrevorThomas Trevor, 1st Baron TrevorThomas Trevor, 1st Baron Trevor PC was knighted in 1692 as Solicitor General and in 1695 became Attorney-General....
(1726–1730) - The Earl of WilmingtonSpencer Compton, 1st Earl of WilmingtonSpencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington KG, KB, PC was a British Whig statesman who served continuously in government from 1715 until his death. He served as the nominal head of government from 1742 until his death in 1743, but was merely a figurehead for the true leader of the government, Lord...
(1730–1731) - In Commission 1731
- The Duke of DevonshireWilliam Cavendish, 3rd Duke of DevonshireWilliam Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, KG, PC was a British nobleman and Whig politician, the son of William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire and Hon. Rachel Russell....
(1731–1733) - The Viscount LonsdaleHenry Lowther, 3rd Viscount LonsdaleHenry Lowther, 3rd Viscount Lonsdale PC FRS was an English courtier and landowner.He succeeded to the Viscountcy in 1713, upon the death of his elder brother, Richard Lowther, 2nd Viscount Lonsdale...
(1733–1735) - The Earl of GodolphinFrancis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of GodolphinFrancis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, PC was a British politician, styled Viscount Rialton between 1706 and 1712.-Biography:...
(1735–1740) - The Lord Hervey (1740–1742)
- The Lord GowerJohn Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl GowerJohn Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower PC , known as The Baron Gower from 1709 to 1754, was a British Tory politician, one of the first Tories to enter government in the 18th century.- Background :...
(1742–1743) - The Earl of CholmondeleyGeorge Cholmondeley, 3rd Earl of CholmondeleyGeorge Cholmondeley, 3rd Earl of Cholmondeley KB, PC , styled as Viscount Malpas from 1725 to 1733, was a British peer and Whig politician.-Life:...
(1743–1744) - The Earl GowerJohn Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl GowerJohn Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower PC , known as The Baron Gower from 1709 to 1754, was a British Tory politician, one of the first Tories to enter government in the 18th century.- Background :...
(1744–1755) - The Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer, 3rd Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755...
(1755) - The Earl GowerGranville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of StaffordGranville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of Stafford PC , known as Viscount Trentham from 1746 to 1754 and as The Earl Gower from 1754 to 1786, was a British politician.-Background:...
(1755–1757) - The Earl TempleRichard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl TempleRichard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple KG, PC was a British politician. He is best known for his association with his brother-in-law William Pitt who he served with in government during Britain's participation in the Seven Years War between 1756 and 1761...
(1757–1761) - In Commission 1761
- The Duke of BedfordJohn Russell, 4th Duke of BedfordJohn Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford KG, PC, FRS was an 18th century British statesman. He was the fourth son of Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford, by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of John Howland of Streatham, Surrey...
(1761–1763) - The Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer, 4th Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC, FRS , styled Marquess of Blandford until 1758, was a British courtier and politician...
(1763–1765) - The Duke of Newcastle (1765–1766)
- The Earl of Chatham (1766–1768)
- The Earl of BristolGeorge Hervey, 2nd Earl of BristolGeorge William Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol , the eldest son of John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey, by his marriage with Mary , daughter of Nicholas Lepell....
(1768–1770) - The Earl of Halifax (1770–1771)
- The Earl of SuffolkHenry Howard, 12th Earl of SuffolkHenry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk, 5th Earl of Berkshire, KG, PC was a British politician, styled Viscount Andover from 1756 to 1757....
(1771) - The Duke of GraftonAugustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of GraftonAugustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, KG, PC , styled Earl of Euston between 1747 and 1757, was a British Whig statesman of the Georgian era...
(1771–1775) - The Earl of DartmouthWilliam Legge, 2nd Earl of DartmouthWilliam Legge 2nd Earl of Dartmouth PC, FRS , styled as Viscount Lewisham from 1732 to 1750, was a British statesman who is most remembered for his part in the government before and during the American Revolution....
(1775–1782) - The Duke of GraftonAugustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of GraftonAugustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, KG, PC , styled Earl of Euston between 1747 and 1757, was a British Whig statesman of the Georgian era...
(1782–1783) - The Earl of CarlisleFrederick Howard, 5th Earl of CarlisleFrederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle, KG, KT, PC was a British diplomat and the son of Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle and his second wife Isabella Byron....
(1783) - The Duke of RutlandCharles Manners, 4th Duke of RutlandCharles Manners, 4th Duke of Rutland KG, PC was a British politician and nobleman, the eldest legitimate son of John Manners, Marquess of Granby...
(1783–1784) - In Commission 1784
- The Marquess of StaffordGranville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of StaffordGranville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of Stafford PC , known as Viscount Trentham from 1746 to 1754 and as The Earl Gower from 1754 to 1786, was a British politician.-Background:...
(1784–1794) - The Earl SpencerGeorge Spencer, 2nd Earl SpencerGeorge John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer KG PC FRS FSA , styled Viscount Althorp from 1765 to 1783, was a British Whig politician...
(1794) - The Earl of ChathamJohn Pitt, 2nd Earl of ChathamGeneral John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, KG, PC was a British peer and soldier.-Career:He was the eldest son of William Pitt the Elder and an elder brother of William Pitt the Younger...
(1794–1798) - The Earl of WestmorlandJohn Fane, 10th Earl of WestmorlandJohn Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland KG, PC , styled Lord Burghersh between 1771 and 1774, was a British Tory politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, who served in most of the cabinets of the period, primarily as Lord Privy Seal.-Background:Westmorland was the son of John Fane, 9th...
(1798–1806)
19th century
- The Viscount SidmouthHenry Addington, 1st Viscount SidmouthHenry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC was a British statesman, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804....
(1806) - The Lord HollandHenry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron HollandHenry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland PC was an English politician and a major figure in Whig politics in the early 19th century...
(1806–1807) - The Earl of WestmorlandJohn Fane, 10th Earl of WestmorlandJohn Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland KG, PC , styled Lord Burghersh between 1771 and 1774, was a British Tory politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, who served in most of the cabinets of the period, primarily as Lord Privy Seal.-Background:Westmorland was the son of John Fane, 9th...
(1807–1827) - The Duke of Portland (1827)
- The Earl of CarlisleGeorge Howard, 6th Earl of CarlisleGeorge Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Morpeth until 1825, was a British statesman...
(1827–1828) - The Lord EllenboroughEdward Law, 1st Earl of EllenboroughEdward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough GCB, PC was a British Tory politician. He was four times President of the Board of Control and also served as Governor-General of India between 1842 and 1844.-Background and education:...
(1828–1829) - The Earl of RosslynJames St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of RosslynGeneral James St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn GCB, PC , known as Sir James Erskine, Bt, between 1765 and 1789 and as Sir James St Clair-Erskine, Bt, between 1789 and 1805, was a Scottish soldier, politician, and Acting Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, on behalf of King George...
(1829–1830) - The Lord DurhamJohn Lambton, 1st Earl of DurhamJohn George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham GCB, PC , also known as "Radical Jack" and commonly referred to in history texts simply as Lord Durham, was a British Whig statesman, colonial administrator, Governor General and high commissioner of British North America...
(1830–1833) - The Earl of Ripon (1833–1834)
- The Earl of CarlisleGeorge Howard, 6th Earl of CarlisleGeorge Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Morpeth until 1825, was a British statesman...
(1834) - The Earl of MulgraveConstantine Phipps, 1st Marquess of NormanbyConstantine Henry Phipps, 1st Marquess of Normanby KG GCB GCH, PC , styled Viscount Normanby between 1812 and 1831 and known as The Earl of Mulgrave between 1831 and 1838, was a British Whig politician and author...
(1834) - The Lord WharncliffeJames Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, 1st Baron WharncliffeColonel James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, 1st Baron Wharncliffe PC , was a British soldier and politician...
(1834–1835) - Viscount DuncannonJohn Ponsonby, 4th Earl of BessboroughJohn William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough PC , known as Viscount Duncannon from 1793 to 1844, was a British Whig politician...
(1835–1840) - The Earl of ClarendonGeorge Villiers, 4th Earl of ClarendonGeorge William Frederick Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon KG, GCB, PC , was an English diplomat and statesman.-Background and education:...
(1840–1841) - The Duke of Buckingham and ChandosRichard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and ChandosRichard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos KG, GCH, PC, FSA , styled Earl Temple between 1813 and 1822 and Marquess of Chandos between 1822 and 1839, was a British Tory politician...
(1841–1842) - The Duke of Buccleuch (1842–1846)
- The Earl of HaddingtonThomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of HaddingtonThomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington KT PC FRS , known as Lord Binning from 1794 to 1828, was a British Conservative politician and statesman.-Background and education:...
(1846) - The Earl of MintoGilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of MintoGilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto GCB, PC , styled as Viscount Melgund between 1813 and 1814, was a British diplomat and Whig politician.-Background and education:...
(1846–1852) - The Marquess of SalisburyJames Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess of SalisburyJames Brownlow William Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, PC , styled Viscount Cranborne until 1823, was a British Conservative politician. He held office under the Earl of Derby as Lord Privy Seal in 1852 and Lord President of the Council between 1858 and 1859...
(1852) - The Duke of ArgyllGeorge Campbell, 8th Duke of ArgyllGeorge John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, PC, FRS, FRSE , styled Marquess of Lorne until 1847, was a Scottish peer, Liberal politician as well as a writer on science, religion, and the politics of the 19th century.-Background:Argyll was born at Ardencaple Castle, Dunbartonshire, the...
(1853–1855) - The Earl of HarrowbyDudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of HarrowbyDudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Sandon between 1809 and 1847, was a British politician...
(1855–1858) - The Marquess of ClanricardeUlick de Burgh, 1st Marquess of ClanricardeUlick John de Burgh, 1st Marquess of Clanricarde KP, PC , styled Lord Dunkellin until 1808 and known as The Earl of Clanricarde between 1808 and 1825, was a British Whig politician.-Background and education:...
(1858) - The Earl of HardwickeCharles Yorke, 4th Earl of HardwickeAdmiral Charles Philip Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke PC , was a British naval commander and Conservative politician.-Background:...
(1858–1859) - The Duke of ArgyllGeorge Campbell, 8th Duke of ArgyllGeorge John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, PC, FRS, FRSE , styled Marquess of Lorne until 1847, was a Scottish peer, Liberal politician as well as a writer on science, religion, and the politics of the 19th century.-Background:Argyll was born at Ardencaple Castle, Dunbartonshire, the...
(1859–1866) - The Earl of Malmesbury (1866–1868)
- The Earl of KimberleyJohn Wodehouse, 1st Earl of KimberleyJohn Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley KG , PC , known as the Lord Wodehouse from 1846 to 1866, was a British Liberal politician...
(1868–1870) - The Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 1st Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax GCB PC , known as Sir Charles Wood, 3rd Bt between 1846 and 1866, was a British Whig politician and Member of Parliament. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846 to 1852....
(1870–1874) - The Earl of Malmesbury (1874–1876)
- The Earl of BeaconsfieldBenjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of BeaconsfieldBenjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC, FRS, was a British Prime Minister, parliamentarian, Conservative statesman and literary figure. Starting from comparatively humble origins, he served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom...
(1876–1878) - The Duke of NorthumberlandAlgernon Percy, 6th Duke of NorthumberlandAlgernon George Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland KG, PC , styled Lord Lovaine between 1830 and 1865 and Earl Percy between 1865 and 1867, was a British Conservative politician...
(1878–1880) - The Duke of ArgyllGeorge Campbell, 8th Duke of ArgyllGeorge John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, PC, FRS, FRSE , styled Marquess of Lorne until 1847, was a Scottish peer, Liberal politician as well as a writer on science, religion, and the politics of the 19th century.-Background:Argyll was born at Ardencaple Castle, Dunbartonshire, the...
(1880–1881) - The Lord CarlingfordChichester Parkinson-Fortescue, 1st Baron CarlingfordChichester Samuel Parkinson-Fortescue, 2nd Baron Clermont and 1st Baron Carlingford KP, PC , known as Chichester Fortescue until 1863 and as Chichester Parkinson-Fortescue between 1863 and 1874, Lord Carlingford from 1874 to 1887 and Lord Clermont after 1887, was a British statesman and Liberal...
(1881–1885) - The Earl of RoseberyArchibald Primrose, 5th Earl of RoseberyArchibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, KG, PC was a British Liberal statesman and Prime Minister. Between the death of his father, in 1851, and the death of his grandfather, the 4th Earl, in 1868, he was known by the courtesy title of Lord Dalmeny.Rosebery was a Liberal Imperialist who...
(1885) - The Earl of HarrowbyDudley Ryder, 3rd Earl of HarrowbyDudley Francis Stuart Ryder, 3rd Earl of Harrowby PC, DL, JP , known as Viscount Sandon from 1847 to 1882, was a British peer and politician.-Political career:...
(1885–1886) - William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
(1886) - The Earl CadoganGeorge Cadogan, 5th Earl CadoganGeorge Henry Cadogan, 5th Earl Cadogan KG, PC, JP was a British Conservative politician.-Background and education:...
(1886–1892) - William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
(1892–1894) - The Lord TweedmouthEdward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron TweedmouthEdward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth KT, PC was a British Liberal Party statesman who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 until 1894 when he inherited his peerage and then sat in the House of Lords...
(1894–1895) - The Viscount CrossR. A. Cross, 1st Viscount CrossRichard Assheton Cross, 1st Viscount Cross, GCB, GCSI, PC, FRS , known before his elevation to the peerage as R. A. Cross, was a British statesman and Conservative politician...
(1895–1900)
20th century
- The Marquess of SalisburyRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of SalisburyRobert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, PC , styled Lord Robert Cecil before 1865 and Viscount Cranborne from June 1865 until April 1868, was a British Conservative statesman and thrice Prime Minister, serving for a total of over 13 years...
(1900–1902) - Arthur BalfourArthur BalfourArthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, KG, OM, PC, DL was a British Conservative politician and statesman...
(1902–1903) - The Marquess of SalisburyJames Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of SalisburyJames Edward Hubert Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, CB, PC , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1868 to 1903, was a British statesman.-Background and education:...
(1903–1905) - The Marquess of RiponGeorge Robinson, 1st Marquess of RiponGeorge Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon KG, GCSI, CIE, PC , known as Viscount Goderich from 1833 to 1859 and as the Earl de Grey and Ripon from 1859 to 1871, was a British politician who served in every Liberal cabinet from 1861 until his death forty-eight years later.-Background...
(1905–1908) - The Earl of CreweRobert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of CreweRobert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe KG, PC , known as The Lord Houghton from 1885 to 1895 and as The Earl of Crewe from 1895 to 1911, was a British statesman and writer....
(1908–1911) - The Earl CarringtonRobert Wynn Carrington, 1st Marquess of LincolnshireCharles Robert Wynn-Carrington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire KG, GCMG, PC, DL, JP , known as the Lord Carrington from 1868 to 1895 and as the Earl Carrington from 1895 to 1912, was a British Liberal politician and aristocrat.-Background and education:Born at Whitehall, London, Lincolnshire was the...
(1911–1912) - The Marquess of CreweRobert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of CreweRobert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe KG, PC , known as The Lord Houghton from 1885 to 1895 and as The Earl of Crewe from 1895 to 1911, was a British statesman and writer....
(1912–1915) - The Earl Curzon of KedlestonGeorge Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of KedlestonGeorge Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC , known as The Lord Curzon of Kedleston between 1898 and 1911 and as The Earl Curzon of Kedleston between 1911 and 1921, was a British Conservative statesman who was Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary...
(1915–1916) - The Earl of CrawfordDavid Lindsay, 27th Earl of CrawfordDavid Alexander Edward Lindsay, 27th Earl of Crawford and 10th Earl of Balcarres KT, PC, DL, FRS, FSA , styled Lord Balniel between 1880 and 1913, was a British Conservative politician and art connoisseur....
(1916–1919) - Andrew Bonar Law (1919–1921)
- Sir Austen ChamberlainAusten ChamberlainSir Joseph Austen Chamberlain, KG was a British statesman, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and half-brother of Neville Chamberlain.- Early life and career :...
(1921–1922) - Lord Robert CecilRobert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of ChelwoodEdgar Algernon Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood CH, PC, QC , known as Lord Robert Cecil from 1868 to 1923, was a lawyer, politician and diplomat in the United Kingdom...
(1922–1924) - J. R. Clynes (1924)
- The Marquess of SalisburyJames Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of SalisburyJames Edward Hubert Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, CB, PC , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1868 to 1903, was a British statesman.-Background and education:...
(1924–1929) - James Henry ThomasJames Henry ThomasJames Henry "Jimmy" Thomas was a British trade unionist and Labour politician. He was involved in a political scandal involving budget leaks.-Early career and Trade Union activities:...
(1929–1930) - Vernon HartshornVernon HartshornVernon Hartshorn was a Welsh trades unionist and Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1918 until his death....
(1930–1931) - Tom Johnston (1931)
- The Earl PeelWilliam Wellesley Peel, 1st Earl PeelWilliam Robert Wellesley Peel, 1st Earl Peel GCSI, GBE, PC, TD was a British politician.-Background and education:...
(1931) - The Viscount SnowdenPhilip Snowden, 1st Viscount SnowdenPhilip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden PC was a British politician and the first Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer, a position he held in 1924 and again between 1929 and 1931.-Early life: 1864–1906:...
(1931–1932) - Stanley BaldwinStanley BaldwinStanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
(1932–1934) - Anthony EdenAnthony EdenRobert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
(1934–1935) - The Marquess of LondonderryCharles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of LondonderryCharles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry, KG, MVO, PC, PC , styled Lord Stewart until 1884 and Viscount Castlereagh between 1884 and 1915, was an Anglo-Irish peer and had careers in both Irish and British politics...
(1935) - The Viscount HalifaxE. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of HalifaxEdward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, , known as The Lord Irwin from 1925 until 1934 and as The Viscount Halifax from 1934 until 1944, was one of the most senior British Conservative politicians of the 1930s, during which he held several senior ministerial posts, most notably as...
(1935–1937) - The Earl De La WarrHerbrand Sackville, 9th Earl De La WarrHerbrand Edward Dundonald Brassey Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr, GBE, PC, DL, JP , styled Lord Buckhurst until 1915 , was a British politician. He was the first hereditary peer to join the Labour Party and became a government minister at the age of 23...
(1937–1938) - Sir John AndersonJohn Anderson, 1st Viscount WaverleyJohn Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, PC, PC was a British civil servant then politician who served as a minister under Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill as Home Secretary, Lord President of the Council and Chancellor of the Exchequer...
(1938–1939) - Sir Samuel Hoare, Bt (1939–1940)
- Sir Kingsley WoodKingsley WoodSir Howard Kingsley Wood was an English Conservative politician. The son of a Wesleyan Methodist minister, he qualified as a solicitor, and successfully specialised in industrial insurance...
(1940) - Clement AttleeClement AttleeClement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
(1940–1942) - Sir Stafford CrippsStafford CrippsSir Richard Stafford Cripps was a British Labour politician of the first half of the 20th century. During World War II he served in a number of positions in the wartime coalition, including Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Minister of Aircraft Production...
(1942) - Viscount CranborneRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of SalisburyRobert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of Salisbury, KG, PC , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1903 to 1947, was a British Conservative politician.-Background:...
(1942–1943) - The Lord BeaverbrookMax Aitken, 1st Baron BeaverbrookWilliam Maxwell "Max" Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, Bt, PC, was a Canadian-British business tycoon, politician, and writer.-Early career in Canada:...
(1943–1945) - Arthur GreenwoodArthur GreenwoodArthur Greenwood CH was a prominent member of the Labour Party from the 1920s until the late 1940s. He rose to prominence within the party as secretary of its research department from 1920 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health in the short-lived Labour government of 1924...
(1945–1947) - The Lord InmanPhilip Inman, 1st Baron InmanPhilip Inman, 1st Baron Inman PC was a British Labour politician.-Background and education:Inman was the son of Philip Inman , of Knaresborough, Yorkshire, by his wife Hannah Bickerdyke, of Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire. He was educated at Headingley College, Leeds, and Leeds University...
(1947) - The Viscount AddisonChristopher Addison, 1st Viscount AddisonSir Christopher Addison, 1st Viscount Addison KG, PC was a British medical doctor and politician. By turns a liberal and a socialist, he served as Minister of Munitions during the first World War, and was later Minister of Health under David Lloyd George and Leader of the House of Lords under...
(1947–1951) - Ernest BevinErnest BevinErnest Bevin was a British trade union leader and Labour politician. He served as general secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1945, as Minister of Labour in the war-time coalition government, and as Foreign Secretary in the post-war Labour Government.-Early...
(1951) - Richard StokesRichard StokesMajor Sir Richard Rapier Stokes MC was a British Labour politician who served briefly as Lord Privy Seal in 1951....
(1951) - The Marquess of SalisburyRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of SalisburyRobert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of Salisbury, KG, PC , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1903 to 1947, was a British Conservative politician.-Background:...
(1951–1952) - Harry CrookshankHarry Crookshank, 1st Viscount CrookshankHarry Frederick Comfort Crookshank, 1st Viscount Crookshank CH, PC , was a British Conservative politician. He was Minister of Health between 1951 and 1952 and Leader of the House of Commons between 1951 and 1952....
(1952–1955) - R. A. Butler (1955–1959)
- The Viscount HailshamQuintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St MaryleboneFor the businessman and philanthropist, see Quintin Hogg Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC, FRS , formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham , was a British politician who was known for the longevity of his career, the vigour with which he campaigned for the Conservative...
(1959–1960) - Edward HeathEdward HeathSir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
(1960–1963) - Selwyn LloydSelwyn LloydJohn Selwyn Brooke Lloyd, Baron Selwyn-Lloyd CH PC CBE TD , known for most of his career as Selwyn Lloyd, was a British Conservative Party politician who served as Foreign Secretary from 1955 to 1960, then as Chancellor of the Exchequer until 1962...
(1963–1964) - The Earl of LongfordFrank Pakenham, 7th Earl of LongfordFrancis Aungier Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford KG, PC , known as the Lord Pakenham from 1945 to 1961, was a British politician, author, and social reformer...
(1964–1965) - Sir Frank Soskice (1965–1966)
- The Earl of LongfordFrank Pakenham, 7th Earl of LongfordFrancis Aungier Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford KG, PC , known as the Lord Pakenham from 1945 to 1961, was a British politician, author, and social reformer...
(1966–1968) - The Lord ShackletonEdward Shackleton, Baron ShackletonEdward Arthur Alexander Shackleton, Baron Shackleton, KG AC OBE PC FRS , was a British geographer and Labour Party politician....
(1968) - Fred PeartFred Peart, Baron PeartThomas Frederick "Fred" Peart, Baron Peart, PC was a British Labour politician who served in the Labour governments of the 1960s and 1970s and was a candidate for Deputy Leader of the Party....
(1968) - The Lord ShackletonEdward Shackleton, Baron ShackletonEdward Arthur Alexander Shackleton, Baron Shackleton, KG AC OBE PC FRS , was a British geographer and Labour Party politician....
(1968–1970) - The Earl JellicoeGeorge Jellicoe, 2nd Earl JellicoeGeorge Patrick John Rushworth Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe, KBE, DSO, MC, PC, FRS was a British politician and statesman, diplomat and businessman....
(1970–1973) - The Lord WindleshamDavid Hennessy, 3rd Baron WindleshamDavid James George Hennessy, 3rd Baron Windlesham and Baron Hennessy, CVO, PC, FBA was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom who held visiting professorships at various universities....
(1973–1974) - The Lord ShepherdMalcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron ShepherdMalcolm Newton Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd [Hereditary] and also Baron Shepherd of Spalding [Life Peerage] PC , was a British Labour politician and peer who served as Leader of the House of Lords under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.Shepherd was the son of the Labour politician George...
(1974–1976) - The Lord PeartFred Peart, Baron PeartThomas Frederick "Fred" Peart, Baron Peart, PC was a British Labour politician who served in the Labour governments of the 1960s and 1970s and was a candidate for Deputy Leader of the Party....
(1976–1979) - Sir Ian Gilmour, BtIan Gilmour, Baron Gilmour of CraigmillarIan Hedworth John Little Gilmour, Baron Gilmour of Craigmillar, PC, was a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom. He was styled Sir Ian Gilmour, 3rd Baronet from 1977, having succeeded to his father's baronetcy, until he became a life peer in 1992. He served as Secretary of State for...
(1979–1981) - Humphrey AtkinsHumphrey AtkinsHumphrey Edward Gregory Atkins, Baron Colnbrook KCMG PC was a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from 1979-82....
(1981–1982) - The Baroness YoungJanet Young, Baroness YoungJanet Mary Baker Young, Baroness Young PC , was a British Conservative politician. She served as the first ever female Leader of the House of Lords from 1981 to 1983, first as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and from 1982 as Lord Privy Seal...
(1982–1983) - John BiffenJohn BiffenWilliam John Biffen, Baron Biffen, PC, DL , was a Conservative member of the House of Lords, who previously spent 36 years in the House of Commons.-Early life:...
(1983–1987) - John WakehamJohn WakehamJohn Wakeham, Baron Wakeham, PC, DL is a businessman and British Conservative Party politician and the current Chancellor of Brunel University.He was a director of Enron from 1994 until its bankruptcy in 2001....
(1987–1988) - The Lord BelsteadJohn Ganzoni, 2nd Baron BelsteadJohn Julian Ganzoni, 2nd Baron Belstead PC was a British Conservative politician and peer who served as Leader of the House of Lords under Margaret Thatcher from 1988 to 1990.-Background and education:...
(1988–1990) - The Lord WaddingtonDavid Waddington, Baron WaddingtonDavid Charles Waddington, Baron Waddington, GCVO, DL, QC, PC , is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons from 1968 to 1990, and was then made a life peer...
(1990–1992) - The Lord Wakeham (1992–1994)
- Viscount CranborneRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of SalisburyRobert Michael James Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury, PC, DL , is a British Conservative politician. During the 1990s, he was Leader of the House of Lords under his courtesy title of Viscount Cranborne...
(1994–1997) - The Lord RichardIvor Richard, Baron RichardIvor Seward Richard, Baron Richard, PC , is a British politician belonging to the Labour Party and former member of the Commission of the European Communities.-Background:...
(1997–1998) - The Baroness Jay of PaddingtonMargaret Jay, Baroness Jay of PaddingtonMargaret Ann Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington, PC is a British politician for the Labour Party.-Background:Her father was former Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan, and she was educated at Blackheath High School, Blackheath and Somerville College, Oxford.Between 1965 and 1977 she held production...
(1998–2001)
21st century
- The Lord Williams of MostynGareth Williams, Baron Williams of MostynGareth Wyn Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn, PC, QC, was a Welsh barrister and Labour politician who was Leader of the House of Lords, Lord President of the Council and a member of the Cabinet at the time of his sudden death in 2003.Williams was born near Prestatyn, in North Wales, a son of...
(2001–2003) - Peter HainPeter HainPeter Gerald Hain is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for the Welsh constituency of Neath since 1991, and has served in the Cabinets of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, firstly as Leader of the House of Commons under Blair and both Secretary of State for...
(2003–2005) - Geoff HoonGeoff HoonGeoffrey "Geoff" William Hoon is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Ashfield from 1992 to 2010...
(2005–2006) - Jack StrawJack Straw (politician)John Whitaker Straw is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He served as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons from 2006 to 2007 under Tony Blair...
(2006–2007) - Harriet HarmanHarriet HarmanHarriet Ruth Harman QC is a British Labour Party politician, who is the Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham, and was MP for the predecessorPeckham constituency from 1982 to 1997...
(2007–2010) - Sir George Young, BtSir George Young, 6th BaronetSir George Samuel Knatchbull Young, 6th Baronet is a British politician. He is currently the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal, and has served as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament since 1974, having represented North West Hampshire since 1997, and Ealing Acton before...
(2010–)
Other countries
- Keeper of the sealsKeeper of the sealsThe title Keeper of the Seals or equivalent is used in several contexts, denoting the person entitled to keep and authorize use of the Great Seal of a given country. The title may or may not be linked to a particular cabinet or ministerial office.- Canada :...
of France - Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of JapanLord Keeper of the Privy Seal of JapanThe was an administrative post not of Cabinet rank in the government of the Empire of Japan. The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal was responsible for keeping the Privy Seal of Japan and State Seal of Japan....
- Keeper of the Rulers' SealKeeper of the Rulers' SealThe Keeper of the Rulers' Seal is the officer in Malaysia charged with custody and use of the Rulers' Seal of Malaysia on behalf of the Conference of Rulers. The Rulers' Seal is the symbol of the traditional authority of the royal institutions in Malaysia, namely the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the...
of Malaysia
See also
- Keeper of the sealsKeeper of the sealsThe title Keeper of the Seals or equivalent is used in several contexts, denoting the person entitled to keep and authorize use of the Great Seal of a given country. The title may or may not be linked to a particular cabinet or ministerial office.- Canada :...
- Keeper of the Privy Seal of ScotlandKeeper of the Privy Seal of ScotlandThe office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer, like the Keeper of the Great Seal...
- Lord Keeper of the Great SealLord Keeper of the Great SealThe Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and later of Great Britain, was formerly an officer of the English Crown charged with physical custody of the Great Seal of England. This evolved into one of the Great Officers of State....
- Lord Privy Seal (term)Lord Privy Seal (term)In the British television industry, Lord Privy Seal is the practice of matching too literal imagery with every element of the accompanying spoken script...