Biography of William Lennox Bathurst 5th Earl Bathurst 1791-1878

In April 1789 [his father] Henry Bathurst 3rd Earl Bathurst (age 26) and [his mother] Georgiana Lennox Countess Bathurst (age 23) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Bathurst 2nd Earl Bathurst (age 74) and [his grandmother] Tryphena Scawen Countess Bathurst Sussex (age 58). They were fifth cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 14th February 1791 William Lennox Bathurst 5th Earl Bathurst was born to Henry Bathurst 3rd Earl Bathurst (age 28) and Georgiana Lennox Countess Bathurst (age 25). He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

Greville Memoirs. 17th November 1830. Went to Downing Street yesterday morning between twelve and one, and found that the Duke and all the Ministers were just gone to the King. He received them with the greatest kindness, shed tears, but accepted their resignation without remonstrance. He told [his father] Lord Bathurst (age 68) he would do anything he could, and asked him if there was nothing he could sign which would secure his son's appointment. Lord Bathurst thanked him, but told him he could do nothing. The fact is the appointment might be hurried through, but the salary depends upon an annual vote of the House of Commons, and an exasperated and triumphant Opposition would be sure to knock it off; so he has done the only thing he can do, which is to leave it to the King to secure the appointment for him if possible. It will be a great piece of luck for somebody that Buller should have died exactly when he did. William Bathurst (age 39) may perhaps lose the place from his not dying earlier, or the new Government may lose the patronage because he did not die later; but it is ill luck for me, who shall probably have more trouble because he has died at all.

Greville Memoirs. 12th December 1830. After some delay Lord Lansdowne made up his mind to fill up the vacancy in my office, and to give it to William Bathurst (age 39); but he first spoke to the King, who said it was very true he had told [his father] Lord Bathurst (age 68) that his son should have it, but that he now left the matter entirely to his decision, showing no anxiety to have William Bathurst appointed. However, he has it, but reduced to £1,200 a year. I was agreeably surprised yesterday by a communication from Lord Lansdowne that he thought no alteration could be made in my emoluments, and that he was quite prepared to defend them if anybody attacked them. Still, though it is a very good thing to be so supported, I don't consider myself safe from Parliamentary assaults. In these times it will not do to be idle, and I told Lord Lansdowne that I was anxious to keep my emoluments, but ready to work for them, and proposed that we Clerks of the Council should be called upon to act really at the Board of Trade, as we are, in fact, bound to do; by which means Lack's place when vacant need not be filled up, and a saving would be made. My predecessors Cottrell and Fawkener always acted, their successors Bailer and Chetwynd were incompetent, and Lack, the Chancellor's Clerk, was made Assistant-Secretary, and did the work. Huskisson and Hume, his director, made the business a science; new Presidents and Vice-Presidents succeeded one another in different Ministerial revolutions; they and Lack were incompetent, and Hume was made Assistant-Secretary, and it is he who advises, directs, legislates. I believe he is one of the ablest practical men who have ever served, more like an American statesman than an English official. I am anxious to begin my Trade education under him.

Greville Memoirs. 16th December 1830. At Court yesterday; William Bathurst (age 39) sworn in. All the Ministers were there, and the Duke of Wellington at the levee looking out of sorts. Dined at the Lievens'; Lady Cowper (age 43) told me that in the summer the Duke had not made a direct offer to Melbourne, but what was tantamount to it. He had desired somebody (she did not say who) to speak to Lamb (age 48)⁶, and said he would call on him himself the next day. Something, however, prevented him, and she did not say whether he did call or not afterwards. He denied ever having made any overture at all. To Palmerston he proposed the choice of four places, and she thinks he would have taken in Huskisson if the latter had lived. He would have done nothing but on compulsion; that is clear. It is very true (what they say Peel said of him) that no man ever had any influence with him, only women, and those always the silliest. But who are Peel's confidants, friends, and parasites? Bonham, a stock-jobbing ex-merchant; Charles Ross, and the refuse of society of the House of Commons.

Note 6. Sir Frederick Lamb.

On 27th July 1834 [his father] Henry Bathurst 3rd Earl Bathurst (age 72) died. His son [his brother] Henry (age 44) succeeded 4th Earl Bathurst of Bathurst in Sussex, 4th Baron Bathurst.

On 20th January 1841 [his mother] Georgiana Lennox Countess Bathurst (age 75) died.

On 25th May 1866 [his brother] Henry George Bathurst 4th Earl Bathurst (age 76) died at Oakley Grove Cirencester, Gloucestershire. His brother William (age 75) succeeded 5th Earl Bathurst of Bathurst in Sussex, 5th Baron Bathurst.

On 24th February 1878 William Lennox Bathurst 5th Earl Bathurst (age 87) died unmarried. His nephew Allen (age 45) succeeded 6th Earl Bathurst of Bathurst in Sussex, 6th Baron Bathurst.