Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl of Meath
Encyclopedia
Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl of Meath KP GCVO
GBE
PC (Ire)
(31 July 1841 – 11 October 1929) was a British
politician and philanthropist.
The Honourable Reginald Brabazon was born in London
, second son of Lord Brabazon. When his father succeeded as 11th Earl of Meath in 1851, Reginald, now heir (his elder brother, Jacques, died of diphtheria
in 1844), was styled Lord Brabazon. He was educated at Eton College
and in 1863 joined the Foreign Office as a clerk, and later became a diplomat.
In 1868 he married Lady Mary Jane Maitland, daughter of Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale
. On the insistence of his in-laws, Brabazon refused to accept a posting to Athens
(which they considered too remote) in 1873 and was effectively suspended without pay, finally resigning from the Diplomatic Service in 1877. He and his wife decided to devote their considerable energies to "the consideration of social problems and the relief of human suffering". Both were subsequently involved in many charitable organisations. The Earl and his wife leased Ottershaw Park from 1882 to November 1883 from Sir Thomas Colebrooke.
In May 1887, Brabazon succeeded his father as 12th Earl of Meath
. Lord Meath was also a prominent Conservative
politician in the House of Lords
and an ardent imperialist, and was responsible for the introduction of Empire Day, which was officially recognised by the British Government in 1916. He was a member of the London County Council
, the Privy Council of Ireland
and the Senate of Southern Ireland. He was also Chief Scout
Commissioner for Ireland
.
Lord Meath was appointed Knight of the Order of St Patrick (KP) in 1902, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
(GBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours, and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
(GCVO) in the 1923 Birthday Honours.
His younger daughter, Lady Violet Constance Maitland Brabazon (1886–1936) married James Walter Grimston, 4th Earl of Verulam.
There is a statue in his honour outside the Columbia Hotel near Lancaster Gate
, in London
. Recordings of his voice exist made in October 1910, in the form of three speeches on the Empire Movement, Gramophone Company
12" G&T black label 'Monarch' records, cat. 01040 to 01042.
He is buried in the graveyard of the Church of Ireland
parish church in the small village of Delagany, County Wicklow
, Ireland, along with his wife and son.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
GBE
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...
PC (Ire)
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
(31 July 1841 – 11 October 1929) was 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...
politician and philanthropist.
The Honourable Reginald Brabazon was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, second son of Lord Brabazon. When his father succeeded as 11th Earl of Meath in 1851, Reginald, now heir (his elder brother, Jacques, died of diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
in 1844), was styled Lord Brabazon. He was educated 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 in 1863 joined the Foreign Office as a clerk, and later became a diplomat.
In 1868 he married Lady Mary Jane Maitland, daughter of Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale
Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale
Admiral of the Fleet Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale, GCB was a Royal Navy officer and peer.-Naval career:...
. On the insistence of his in-laws, Brabazon refused to accept a posting to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
(which they considered too remote) in 1873 and was effectively suspended without pay, finally resigning from the Diplomatic Service in 1877. He and his wife decided to devote their considerable energies to "the consideration of social problems and the relief of human suffering". Both were subsequently involved in many charitable organisations. The Earl and his wife leased Ottershaw Park from 1882 to November 1883 from Sir Thomas Colebrooke.
In May 1887, Brabazon succeeded his father as 12th Earl of Meath
Earl of Meath
Earl of Meath is a title in the Peerage of Ireland created in 1627 and held by the head of the Brabazon family. This family descends from Sir Edward Brabazon, who represented County Wicklow in the Irish House of Commons and served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1606. In 1616 he was raised to...
. Lord Meath was also a prominent 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 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....
and an ardent imperialist, and was responsible for the introduction of Empire Day, which was officially recognised by the British Government in 1916. He was a member of the London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
, the Privy Council of Ireland
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
and the Senate of Southern Ireland. He was also Chief Scout
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
Commissioner for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Lord Meath was appointed Knight of the Order of St Patrick (KP) in 1902, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
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...
(GBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours, and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(GCVO) in the 1923 Birthday Honours.
His younger daughter, Lady Violet Constance Maitland Brabazon (1886–1936) married James Walter Grimston, 4th Earl of Verulam.
There is a statue in his honour outside the Columbia Hotel near Lancaster Gate
Lancaster Gate
Lancaster Gate is a mid-19th century development in the Bayswater district of west central London, immediately to the north of Kensington Gardens. It consists of two long terraces of houses overlooking the park, with a wide gap between them opening onto a square containing a church. Further...
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Recordings of his voice exist made in October 1910, in the form of three speeches on the Empire Movement, Gramophone Company
Gramophone Company
The Gramophone Company, based in the United Kingdom, was one of the early recording companies, and was the parent organization for the famous "His Master's Voice" label...
12" G&T black label 'Monarch' records, cat. 01040 to 01042.
He is buried in the graveyard of the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
parish church in the small village of Delagany, County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, along with his wife and son.