Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield
Encyclopedia
Thomas Patrick John Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield (25 April 1939 – 11 November 2005) was an English
photographer. He inherited the Earldom of Lichfield
in 1960 from his paternal grandfather. In his professional practice he was known as Patrick Lichfield.
and Sandhurst
, and joined the Grenadier Guards
in 1959. On leaving the Army in 1962, he began to work as a photographer's assistant, and built up his own reputation, partly as a result of having access to the Royal Family. He was selected to take the official photographs of the wedding of the Prince
and Princess of Wales
in 1981, and subsequently became one of the UK
's best-known photographers. From 1999 onwards he was a pioneer of digital photography at a professional standard. He was chosen by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to take official pictures of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. He resided at the former family seat at Shugborough Hall
, near Cannock Chase
in Staffordshire
although in 1960 he had given the estate to the National Trust in lieu of death duties arising on his grandfather's death. Nearby is Milford Hall, the estate of the Levett
-Haszard family, who are related to the Ansons and who sit on the board of Shugborough.
of Thomas Edward Anson, 4th Earl of Lichfield (1883–1960). His mother was Princess Anne of Denmark
(1917–1980), a niece of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He had one sister, Elizabeth Georgiana (born 1941), who married Sir Geoffrey Adam Shakerley, 6th
Baronet
.
In 1958, his father died, so when his grandfather died in 1960, he succeeded as 5th Earl of Lichfield. In 1975 he married Lady Leonora Grosvenor
, elder daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster
, but they divorced in 1986. After divorcing, the Countess of Lichfield retained her title and has not remarried. They had one son, Thomas
, now 6th Earl of Lichfield, and two daughters, Rose and Eloise.
His most recent partner was the biographer, Lady Annunziata Asquith, daughter of Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith
.
, and died the following day (Remembrance Day
) at the John Radcliffe Hospital
in Oxford
, aged 66.
Lichfield's funeral was held on 21 November at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Colwich
, Staffordshire
, where he was also buried. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4450762.stm
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
photographer. He inherited the Earldom of Lichfield
Earl of Lichfield
Earl of Lichfield is a title that has been created three times in British history. Lord Bernard Stewart, youngest son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, was to be created Earl of Lichfield by Charles I for his actions at the battles of Newbury and Naseby but died before the creation could...
in 1960 from his paternal grandfather. In his professional practice he was known as Patrick Lichfield.
Career
Lord Lichfield was educated at HarrowHarrow 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...
and Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
, and joined the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
in 1959. On leaving the Army in 1962, he began to work as a photographer's assistant, and built up his own reputation, partly as a result of having access to the Royal Family. He was selected to take the official photographs of the wedding of the Prince
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
in 1981, and subsequently became one of the UK
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...
's best-known photographers. From 1999 onwards he was a pioneer of digital photography at a professional standard. He was chosen by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to take official pictures of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. He resided at the former family seat at Shugborough Hall
Shugborough Hall
Shugborough is a country estate in Great Haywood, Staffordshire, England, 4 miles from Stafford on the edge of Cannock Chase. It comprises a country house, kitchen garden, and model farm...
, near Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire, England. The area has been designated as the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chase gives its name to the Cannock Chase local government district....
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
although in 1960 he had given the estate to the National Trust in lieu of death duties arising on his grandfather's death. Nearby is Milford Hall, the estate of the Levett
Levett
Levett is an Anglo-Norman territorial surname deriving from the village of Livet-en-Ouche, now Jonquerets-de-Livet, in Eure, Normandy. Ancestors of the earliest Levett family in England, the de Livets were lords of the village of Livet, and undertenants of the de Ferrers, among the most powerful of...
-Haszard family, who are related to the Ansons and who sit on the board of Shugborough.
Family
Thomas Patrick John Anson was born 25 April 1939. He was the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas William Arnold Anson, Viscount Anson (1913–1958), the eldest son and heir apparentHeir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
of Thomas Edward Anson, 4th Earl of Lichfield (1883–1960). His mother was Princess Anne of Denmark
Princess Anne of Denmark
Princess Anne of Denmark was the mother of royal photographer Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield, and a cousin of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.-Family:...
(1917–1980), a niece of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He had one sister, Elizabeth Georgiana (born 1941), who married Sir Geoffrey Adam Shakerley, 6th
Geoffrey Adam Shakerley, 6th Baronet Shakerley
Sir Geoffrey Adam Shakerley, 6th Baronet Shakerley is an English photographer.He is the son of Sir Cyril Holland Shakerley, 5th Baronet and Elizabeth Averil Eardley-Wilmot....
Baronet
Shakerley Baronets
The Shakerley Baronetcy, of Somerford Park in the County of Chester, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 30 July 1838 for Charles Shakerley, High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1837.-Shakerley Baronets, of Somerford Park :...
.
In 1958, his father died, so when his grandfather died in 1960, he succeeded as 5th Earl of Lichfield. In 1975 he married Lady Leonora Grosvenor
Leonora Anson, Countess of Lichfield
Leonora Anson, Countess of Lichfield, LVO, was born as Leonora Mary Grosvenor, a daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster....
, elder daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster
Robert Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert George Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster DSO TD JP DL , was a British soldier, landowner, businessman and politician. In the 1970s he was the richest man in Britain....
, but they divorced in 1986. After divorcing, the Countess of Lichfield retained her title and has not remarried. They had one son, Thomas
Thomas Anson, 6th Earl of Lichfield
Thomas William Robert Hugh Anson, 6th Earl of Lichfield is an English aristocrat.He is the only son of the 5th Earl of Lichfield and former wife Lady Leonora Grosvenor, a daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster. He succeeded as the 6th Earl of Lichfield upon his father's death on 11 November 2005...
, now 6th Earl of Lichfield, and two daughters, Rose and Eloise.
His most recent partner was the biographer, Lady Annunziata Asquith, daughter of Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith
Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith
Julian Edward George Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith KCMG , was a British colonial administrator.-Background and education:...
.
Death
On 10 November 2005, Lichfield suffered a major strokeStroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, and died the following day (Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
) at the John Radcliffe Hospital
John Radcliffe Hospital
The John Radcliffe Hospital is a large tertiary teaching hospital in Oxford, England.It is the main teaching hospital for Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. As such, it is a well-developed centre of medical research. It also incorporates the Medical School of the University of Oxford....
in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, aged 66.
Lichfield's funeral was held on 21 November at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Colwich
Colwich, Staffordshire
Colwich is a civil parish and village in Staffordshire, England. It is situated off the A51 road, about 3 miles north west of Rugeley, and 7 miles south east of Stafford...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, where he was also buried. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4450762.stm