Earl of Cranbrook

Earl of Cranbrook, in the County of Kent, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1892 for the prominent Conservative politician Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy. He notably held office as Home Secretary, Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for India. Gathorne-Hardy had already been created Viscount Cranbrook, of Hemsted in the County of Kent, in 1878, and was made Baron Medway, of Hemsted in the County of Kent, at the same time he was given the earldom. The latter title is used as a courtesy title for the Earl's eldest son and heir apparent. Lord Cranbrook's eldest son, the second Earl, represented Rye, Mid Kent and Medway in the House of Commons as a Conservative. As of 2007 the titles are held by the latter's great-grandson, the fifth Earl, who succeeded his father in 1978.

Hon. Alfred Gathorne-Hardy, third son of the first Earl, sat as a Member of Parliament for Canterbury and East Grinstead. Another member of the family is the writer Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy. He is the son of Hon. Anthony Gathorne-Hardy, youngest son of the third Earl.

The family seat is Great Glemham House, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LP.

Earls of Cranbrook (1892)

*Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Earl of Cranbrook (1814-1906)
*John Stewart Gathorne-Hardy, 2nd Earl of Cranbrook (1839-1911)
*Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 3rd Earl of Cranbrook (1870-1915)
*John David Gathorne-Hardy, 4th Earl of Cranbrook (1900-1978)
*Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 5th Earl of Cranbrook (b. 1933)

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's son John Jason Gathorne-Hardy, Lord Medway (b. 1968)

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]