Valentine Browne, 4th Earl of Kenmare
Encyclopedia
Valentine Augustus Browne, 4th Earl of Kenmare KP, PC
(16 May 1825 – 9 February 1905), styled Viscount Castlerosse from 1853 to 1871, was a British courtier and Liberal
politician. He held office in every Whig or Liberal administration between 1856 and 1886, notably as Lord Chamberlain of the Household under William Gladstone between 1880 and 1885 and in 1886.
. He became known by the courtesy title
Viscount Castlerosse when his father succeeded in the earldom of Kenmare in 1853.
for 1851. The following year he was returned to parliament as one of two representatives for Kerry
. In 1856 he was appointed Comptroller of the Household
under Lord Palmerston
, a post he held until the government fell in 1858. He was sworn of the Privy Council
in February 1857. When Palmerston resumed office in 1859, Castlerosse became Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
, which he remained until 1866, the last year under the premiership of Lord Russell
. He once again became Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1868 in William Gladstone's first administration.
In December 1871 he succeeded his father in the earldom and took his seat in the House of Lords
. He consequently resigned as Vice-Chamberlain (a post normally held by a commoner) and in February 1872 he was appointed a Lord-in-Waiting
, i. e. a government whip in the House of Lords. In June of that year he was made a Knight of the Order of St Patrick. The Liberal government fell in 1874. Gladstone returned as prime minister in 1880, when Lord Kenmare was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household. He held this office until 1885 and again briefly in Gladstone's third administration between February and July 1886. Apart from his political career he was also Lord-Lieutenant of Kerry between 1866 and 1905.
, on 28 April 1858. They had three children:
Lord Kenmare died in February 1905, aged 79, and was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest and only surviving son, Valentine. The Countess of Kenmare died in February 1913.
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(16 May 1825 – 9 February 1905), styled Viscount Castlerosse from 1853 to 1871, was a British courtier and Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician. He held office in every Whig or Liberal administration between 1856 and 1886, notably as Lord Chamberlain of the Household under William Gladstone between 1880 and 1885 and in 1886.
Background
Browne was the son of Thomas Browne, 3rd Earl of Kenmare, by his wife Catherine O'Callaghan, daughter of Edmund O'Callaghan, of Kilgory, County ClareCounty Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
. He became known by the courtesy title
Courtesy title
A courtesy title is a form of address in systems of nobility used for children, former wives and other close relatives of a peer. These styles are used 'by courtesy' in the sense that the relatives do not themselves hold substantive titles...
Viscount Castlerosse when his father succeeded in the earldom of Kenmare in 1853.
Political career
Lord Castlerosse was appointed High Sheriff of KerryHigh Sheriff of Kerry
The High Sheriff of Kerry was the British Crown’s judicial representative in County Kerry, Ireland from the 16th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Kerry County Sheriff. The sheriff had judicial, electoral, ceremonial and...
for 1851. The following year he was returned to parliament as one of two representatives for Kerry
Kerry (UK Parliament constituency)
A former UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament. In 1885, it was split into four constituencies. From the time of Irish independence, the area was no longer represented in the UK Parliament, as it was no longer part of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries:This...
. In 1856 he was appointed Comptroller of the Household
Comptroller of the Household
The Comptroller of the Household is an ancient position in the English royal household, currently the second-ranking member of the Lord Steward's department, and often a cabinet member. He was an ex officio member of the Board of Green Cloth, until that body was abolished in the reform of the local...
under Lord Palmerston
Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, KG, GCB, PC , known popularly as Lord Palmerston, was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister in the mid-19th century...
, a post he held until the government fell in 1858. He was sworn of the Privy Council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
in February 1857. When Palmerston resumed office in 1859, Castlerosse became Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household is usually a junior government whip in the British House of Commons and is an officer of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. He or she is the Deputy to the Lord Chamberlain of the Household. The Vice-Chamberlain's main role is to compile...
, which he remained until 1866, the last year under the premiership of Lord Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC , known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century....
. He once again became Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1868 in William Gladstone's first administration.
In December 1871 he succeeded his father in the earldom and took his seat 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....
. He consequently resigned as Vice-Chamberlain (a post normally held by a commoner) and in February 1872 he was appointed a Lord-in-Waiting
Lord-in-Waiting
Most Lords in Waiting are Government whips in the House of Lords who are members of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. As members of the Royal Household their duties are nominal, though they are occasionally required to meet visiting political and state leaders on visits...
, i. e. a government whip in the House of Lords. In June of that year he was made a Knight of the Order of St Patrick. The Liberal government fell in 1874. Gladstone returned as prime minister in 1880, when Lord Kenmare was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household. He held this office until 1885 and again briefly in Gladstone's third administration between February and July 1886. Apart from his political career he was also Lord-Lieutenant of Kerry between 1866 and 1905.
Family
Lord Kenmare married Gertrude Thynne, daughter of Reverend Lord Charles Thynne, Canon of Canterbury, and granddaughter of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of BathThomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath
Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath KG , styled Viscount Weymouth from 1789 until 1796, was a British peer.-Background and education:...
, on 28 April 1858. They had three children:
- Lady Margaret Theodora May Catherine Browne (d. 1940), married G. C. Douglas in 1889, died childless.
- Valentine Charles Browne, 5th Earl of KenmareValentine Browne, 5th Earl of KenmareValentine Charles Browne, 5th Earl of Kenmare was Lord Lieutenant of Kerry and Earl of Kenmare. He was one of the peers of the realm who were members of the Senate of Southern Ireland, 1921....
(1860–1941) - Hon. Cecil Augustine Browne (1864–1887)
Lord Kenmare died in February 1905, aged 79, and was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest and only surviving son, Valentine. The Countess of Kenmare died in February 1913.