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William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp KCMG, CB, KStJ, PC (20 February 1872 – 14 November 1938), styled Viscount Elmley until 1891, was a British Liberal politician. He was Governor of New South Wales between 1899 and 1901, a member of the Liberal administrations of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and H. H. Asquith between 1905 and 1915 and leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords between 1924 and 1931. When political enemies threatened to make public his homosexuality he resigned from office to go into exile. Lord Beauchamp is generally supposed to have been the model for Lord Marchmain in Evelyn Waugh's novel, Brideshead Revisited.
Beauchamp was the eldest son of Frederick Lygon, 6th Earl Beauchamp, by his first wife, Lady Mary Catherine, daughter of Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope.[1] He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he showed an interest in evangelism, joining the Christian Social Union.[2][3]
Beauchamp succeeded his father in the earldom in 1891 at the age of 18, and was mayor of Worcester between 1895 and 1896.[1] A progressive in his ideas, he was surprised to be offered the post of Governor of New South Wales in May 1899. Though he was good at the job, and enjoyed the company of local artists and writers, he was unpopular in the colony due to a series of gaffes and misunderstandings, most notably over his reference to the 'birthstain' of Australia's convict origins.[2] His open association with the high church and Anglo-Catholicism caused increased perturbation in the Evangelical Council.[2] In Sydney, William Carr Smith, rector of St James' Church was his chaplain.[4] Beauchamp returned to Britain in 1900, saying that his duties had failed to stimulate him.
In 1902, Beauchamp joined the
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Of the Earl's seven children, all but the second son Hugh (who was homosexual) married, but only two left issue.
Lady Beauchamp died in 1936, aged 59, estranged from all her children except her youngest child.[21] Lord Beauchamp died of cancer in New York City, aged 66. He was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest son, William.
On 26 July 1902, Lord Beauchamp married Lady Lettice Grosvenor, daughter of Victor Grosvenor, Earl Grosvenor, and Lady Sibell Lumley, and granddaughter of the 1st Duke of Westminster. They had three sons and four daughters:
Lord Beauchamp is generally supposed to have been the model for Lord Marchmain in Evelyn Waugh's novel, Brideshead Revisited.[18] In his 1977 book, Homosexuals in History, historian A. L. Rowse suggests that Beauchamp's failed appointment as Governor of New South Wales was the inspiration for Hilaire Belloc's satirical children's poem, Lord Lundy which has as its final line a command from his aged grandfather "Go out and govern New South Wales!". Nevertheless, says Rowse, "Lord Lundy's chronic weakness was tears. This was not Lord Beauchamp's weakness: he enjoyed life, was always gay."[17]
After sufficient evidence had been gathered by the Duke, Beauchamp was made an offer to separate from his wife Lettice (without a divorce), retire on a pretence, and then leave the country. Beauchamp refused and, shortly afterwards, the Countess Beauchamp obtained a divorce.[3] There was no public scandal, but Lord Beauchamp resigned all his offices except that of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and went into exile on the continent (fearing arrest if he did not), briefly contemplating suicide.[3]
[3] In 1930, while on a trip to Australia, it became common knowledge in London society that one of the men escorting him,
In 1931, Lord Beauchamp was "outed" as homosexual.[17] Although Beauchamp's homosexuality was an open secret in parts of high society, and one that his political opponents had refrained from using against him despite its illegality, Lady Beauchamp was oblivious to it, and professed a confusion as to what homosexuality was when her husband's was revealed. He had numerous affairs at Madresfield and Walmer Castle, with his partners ranging from servants to socialites, and including local men.[3]
In June 1901, he received the honorary Doctor of Laws (DLL) from the University of Glasgow.[16]
Lord Beauchamp was made Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1913 and a Knight of the Garter in 1914. He was also Chancellor of the University of London and a Six Master (Governor of RGS Worcester).
[15] and reduced working hours for miners.[14] and improved safety standards[13] an expansion in rural housing provision, an agricultural minimum wage,[12] from 1924 to 1931, supporting the ailing party with his substantial fortune. While serving in Parliament, Beauchamp also voiced his support for a range of progressive measures such as workmen's compensation,House of Lords formed by Asquith in May 1915. Lord Beauchamp never returned to ministerial office but was Liberal Leader in the coalition government However, he was not a member of the [11] He was again Lord President of the Council from 1914 to 1915.[10]
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