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9 unusual facts about Earl of Bessborough


Arthur Ponsonby, 11th Earl of Bessborough

Cyril Myles Brabazon Ponsonby, second son of Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough, and his wife Rita Narcissa Longfield, daughter of Lt. Col. Mountifort John Courtenay Longfield.

He died on 5 April 2002 and was succeeded by his eldest son Myles Ponsonby, 12th Earl of Bessborough

He inherited the earldom on 5 December 1993 when his cousin Frederick Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough died without a male heir.

Cecil Ponsonby

John, 5th Earl of Bessborough, played five games in the 1830s; Frederick, the 6th Earl, played more than 70 games between 1834 and 1856, and was a founder of both Surrey and I Zingari; while Spencer appeared over 60 times between 1841 and 1862.

Arthur Cornwallis Ponsonby (1856—1918; 4th son of Walter Ponsonby, 7th Earl of Bessborough) and Kathleen Eva Sillery (d. 1944).

Myles Ponsonby, 12th Earl of Bessborough

He is the son of Arthur Ponsonby, 11th Earl of Bessborough, and his wife Patricia Minnigerode, daughter of Col. Fitzhugh Lee Minnigerode.

Old Stagers

Frederick Ponsonby (later Earl of Bessborough) to perform during Kent's annual Canterbury Cricket Week.

Stansted Park

It was purchased by the Bessborough family in 1924 and owned by the 9th and 10th Earls throughout their lifetimes.

Since 1983 the House and Estate have been owned by Stansted Park Foundation, a charitable trust charged with the preservation of the estate for the benefit of the nation, which was the wish of the last owner, Frederick Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough.


Bessborough Armoury

The building was officially opened on 27 March 1934 by the Earl of Bessborough, the Governor-General of Canada.

European-Atlantic Group

The Earl of Bessborough, D.L.,(a Founder), and there was an impressive list of Vice-Presidents, including the Marquess of Lansdowne, the Earl of Limerick, the Earl Jellicoe, The Lord Carrington, The Lord Chalfont, The Lord Shawcross, The Lord Granchester.

Kingston Yacht Club

The current clubhouse was erected in 1935 and officially opened by the Governor General of Canada, the Earl of Bessborough.


see also

Tom Taylor

During 1842, Taylor, together with his Cambridge friends Frederick Ponsonby (Earl of Bessborough), Charles G. Taylor and William Bolland, formed the Old Stagers, which is recognised as the oldest amateur drama society still performing.