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User:Choess/Lowther family

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The Lowther family were minor gentry of Cumbria and Westmorland who rose to prominence in the 18th century and after.


Sir Christopher Lowther (8 September 1557 – 1617) and Eleanor Musgrave had issue:

Lowther of Westmoreland and Cumberland

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Original line of family, from Middle Ages down to Sir Christopher.

Lowther of Lowther

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Senior branch of the family. First was Sir John Lowther of Lowther (d. 1637), whose younger sons Sir Christopher and Sir William founded the branches of Whitehaven and Swillington. Sir John's son John was created 1st Baronet of Lowther. His elder son's descendants became Viscounts Lonsdale, that branch going extinct in 1751, while his younger son, Richard, established himself at Maulds Meaburn. Richard's grandson, James, inherited the baronetcy and subsequently became the famous "Wicked Earl" of Lonsdale. He inherited the properties formerly belonging to the Whitehaven and Marske branches in 1756. Upon his death in 1802, Lowther of Swillington became the senior branch of the family.

Lowther of Whitehaven

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Founded by Sir Christopher Lowther, 1st Baronet. Began to set up Whitehaven as a model village for their collieries, and became immensely wealthy, particularly under the parsimonious stewardship of the 4th Baronet. He died childless in 1755 and left his estates to Lowther of Marske.

Lowther of Swillington

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Founded by Sir William Lowther, 1st Baronet. The senior line became extinct in 1736 and the representation went to the deceased's first cousin, who had been created Baronet of Little Preston. His son William succeeded the "Wicked Earl" as Viscount Lowther by special remainder in 1802, and was later himself created Earl of Lonsdale. Lonsdale's younger brother John was himself created a Baronet of Swillington, the same territorial designation adopted by the line extinct 1736.

Lowther of Lonsdale

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The senior line of the family, extant today. The second earl was succeeded by his nephew, Henry, and three of William's sons succeeded to the earldom. The present earl is grandson of the youngest son. The Lowther estates were much dissipated by the "sporting" 5th Earl. The 7th Earl did much to restore the estates, although Lowther Castle had to be abandoned. Present head the 8th Earl.

A younger brother of the third earl was William Lowther, a diplomat. Three of his sons enjoyed political or diplomatic careers, the eldest serving as Speaker of the House of Commons and being created Viscount Ullswater. Ullswater was succeeded, unusually, by his great-grandson, the present Viscount, in 1949, his son having died in 1935 and his grandson in 1942 in an air crash with Prince George, Duke of Kent. One of the 1st Viscount's granddaughters married the 7th Earl of Lonsdale, her cousin, but the couple later divorced. Present head of the cadet branch the 2nd Viscount.

The 8th Earl is suing his half-brother, Hon. Charles, the Dowager Countess Caroline, an estate agent, and the 2nd Viscount for their role in approving leases signed by his father which effectively disinherit him and prevent him from managing the Lonsdale estates.

Lowther of Swillington

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Junior branch of the family, extant today. Founded by Sir John Lowther, 1st Baronet, younger brother of the 1st Earl of Lonsdale. The 3rd Baronet was blind from early life and was a benefactor and supporter of William Moon, who produced embossed books in Moon type. His younger son was James Lowther, a noted Conservative politician of the late 19th century. James left his estate, Wilton Castle, to his nephew Col. John George Lowther, who sold it to ICI in 1945. The 4th Baronet sold off Swillington and Little Preston in 1920 and eventually moved to Erbistock, Denbighshire. Present head the 6th Baronet, sometime Royal Armoured Corps, High Sheriff of Clwyd 1997. John George's second son John Luke was Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.

Lowther of Marske

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Cadet branch of the family, from a younger son of Sir Christopher. Based on Marske Hall. Also obtained Holker Hall in marriage and two were MPs for Lancaster. The last baronet inherited the estates of Lowther of Whitehaven, but died the following year (1756) and left the estates (except Holker, which went to a Preston descendant) to James Lowther, later the "Wicked Earl".

Lowther of Colby Leathes

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Cadet branch of the family, from Rev. Lancelot, a younger son of Sir Christopher. Mostly curates with livings in the gift of the more senior branches. One, James Lowther (of Aikton), was henchman of James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, his fourth cousin, and so enjoyed a long career in Parliament.

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