Ailwyn Fellowes, 1st Baron Ailwyn

Ailwyn Edward Fellowes, 1st Baron Ailwyn KCVO KBE PC DL (10 November 1855 – 23 September 1924) was a British businessman, farmer and Conservative politician. He was a member of Arthur Balfour's cabinet as President of the Board of Agriculture between March and December 1905.

The Lord Ailwyn
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
In office
10 July 1895 – 3 December 1900
MonarchQueen Victoria
Prime MinisterThe Marquess of Salisbury
Preceded byCharles Spencer
Succeeded bySir Alexander Fuller-Acland-Hood, Bt
President of the Board of Agriculture
In office
14 March 1905 – 4 December 1905
MonarchEdward VII
Prime MinisterArthur Balfour
Preceded byThe Earl of Onslow
Succeeded byThe Earl Carrington
Personal details
Born(1855-11-10)10 November 1855
Haverland Hall, Norwich, Norfolk
Died23 September 1924(1924-09-23) (aged 68)
Honingham Hall, Honingham, Norfolk
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Agatha Jolliffe
(m. 1886)
Alma materTrinity Hall, Cambridge

Background and education

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Fellowes was born at Haveringland Hall, Norfolk, the younger son of Edward Fellowes (later Baron de Ramsey) and Mary Julia, daughter of George Milles, 4th Baron Sondes. William Fellowes, 2nd Baron de Ramsey, was his elder brother. He was educated at Eton and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.[1] He trained as a barrister, but never qualified, turning instead to agriculture and politics. He inherited Honingham Hall in Norfolk from his aunt in 1887 and devoted much of his time to running and improving it.[2]

Political career

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In The Railway News, 1 July 1911

Fellowes unsuccessfully contested Mid Norfolk in 1885 and North Norfolk in 1886 but won Ramsey in 1887 in a by-election following his brother's succession to the peerage. He held office under Lord Salisbury as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household between 1895 and 1900 and under Salisbury and Arthur Balfour as a Lord of the Treasury between 1900 and 1905. In March 1905 he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed President of the Board of Agriculture[3] by Balfour, with a seat in the cabinet, a post he held until the government fell in December 1905.

Between 1917 and 1919 Fellowes was chairman of the Agricultural Wages Board and deputy director of Food Production. Apart from his involvement in national politics he was chairman of Norfolk County Council from 1920, having been an alderman for many years. Fellowes was made a deputy lieutenant of Norfolk in 1909.[4] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1911, after serving as deputy president of the Royal Agricultural Show to The King (George V),[2] and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1917. In the 1921 Birthday Honours he was raised to the peerage as Baron Ailwyn, of Honingham in the County of Norfolk.[5]

Business career

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Fellowes was also director of the London and North Eastern Railway, Norwich Union and the National Provident Association and deputy chairman of the Great Eastern Railway.

Family

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Lord Ailwyn married Agatha Eleanor Augusta,[6] daughter of Hedworth Jolliffe, 2nd Baron Hylton, at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, on 9 February 1886. They had four sons:

Lord Ailwyn died at Honingham Hall in September 1924, aged 68, and was buried in the grounds of the local church. Lady Ailwyn died in July 1938.

References

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  1. ^ "Fellowes, Ailwyn (FLWS874AE)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. ^ a b "Obituary: Lord Ailwyn". The Times. No. 43765. London. 24 September 1924. p. 14. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  3. ^ "No. 27774". The London Gazette. 14 March 1905. p. 2011.
  4. ^ "No. 28241". The London Gazette. 13 April 1909. p. 2926.
  5. ^ "No. 32346". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1921. p. 4529.
  6. ^ "Agatha Eleanor Augusta Fellowes (née Jolliffe), Lady Ailwyn (1863–1938), Wife of 1st Baron Ailwyn; daughter of 2nd Baron Hylton". National Portrait Gallery, London.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Ramsey
1887–1906
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
1895–1900
Succeeded by
Preceded by Lord of the Treasury
1900–1905
With: Henry Torrens Anstruther 1900–1903
William Hayes Fisher 1900–1902
Henry Forster 1902–1905
Lord Balniel 1903–1905
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Board of Agriculture
1905
Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baron Ailwyn
1921–1924
Succeeded by