Viscount Bledisloe

Viscount Bledisloe, of Lydney in the County of Gloucester, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1935 for the Conservative politician Sir Charles Bathurst upon his retirement as Governor-General of New Zealand. He had already been created Baron Bledisloe, of Lydney in the County of Gloucester, in 1918. Bathurst was the great-grandson and namesake of the early 19th century politician Charles Bathurst. The latter was the son of Charles Bragge and Anne Bathurst, granddaughter of Sir Benjamin Bathurst, younger brother of Allen Bathurst, 1st Earl Bathurst. In 1804 Charles Bathurst assumed the surname of Bathurst in lieu of Bragge. As of 2006 the titles are held by the first Viscount's grandson, the third Viscount, who succeeded his father in 1979. He is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, and sits as a cross-bencher. He is also a member of the Lords Constitution Committee.

The family seat is Lydney Park, near Lydney, Gloucestershire.

Viscounts Bledisloe (1935)

*Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe (1867-1958)
*Benjamin Ludlow Bathurst, 2nd Viscount Bledisloe (1899-1979)
*Christopher Hiley Ludlow Bathurst, 3rd Viscount Bledisloe (b. 1934) (elected into House of Lords, 1999)

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's son Hon. Rupert Edward Ludlow Bathurst (b. 13 March 1964)

His son and heir apparent is Benjamin Bathurst (b. 28 March 2004)

ee also

*Earl Bathurst

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]