Marquess of Ripon
George Frederick Samuel Robinson
The young George, from a portrait in the Mayor's parlour.
KG = Knight of the Order of the Garter
GCSI = Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India.
George was born in 10 Downing Street in October 1827 when his father, Frederick John Robinson, was briefly Prime Minister. His mother was Lady Sarah Albinia Louisa Hobart, daughter of the Earl of Buckinghamshire. George's father died in 1859 and he inherited the title of Earl of Ripon. George's uncle, Thomas Philip Robinson, Earl de Grey, also died in 1859 and from him George inherited the title Earl de Grey. He chose to be called "Earl de Grey and Ripon". George became Marquess of Ripon in 1871.
George married his cousin Lady Henrietta Vyner, daughter of Thomas Philip de Grey and had a son and a daughter. They lived in Studley Royal, now part of the World Heritage Site of Founrains Abbey and Studley Royal. The house burned down in 1946 and was completely destroyed and demolished. Only the magnificent stable block remains.
George followed his father into politics and had a long and distinquished career and served the country in a variety of roles, too long to fit on the plinth in Ripon Spa Gardens which carries his statue.
1905-08 Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
1880-84 7th Viceroy and Governor of India
1892-95 Secretary of State for the Colonies
1886-86 First Lord of the Admiralty
1868-73 Lord President of the Council
1866-66 Secretary of State for India
1863-66 Secretary of State for War
1861-61 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for India
1859-61 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for War
1859-1909 Member of the House of Lords. Lord Temporal
1857-59 MP for the West Riding of Yorkshire
1853-57 MP for Huddersfield
1852-53 MP for Kingston upon Hull
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George died at Studley Royal in 1909 age 81
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Statue of the Marquess of Ripon in Spa Gardens, Ripon.