Thomas Lister, 3rd Baron Ribblesdale

Thomas Lister, 3rd Baron Ribblesdale, was born on 28 April 1828 at Armitage Park in Staffordshire. He was the only son of Thomas Lister, 2nd Baron Ribblesdale, and Adelaide Lister, the daughter of Thomas Lister (1772–1828). Succeeding to the barony in 1832 after his father's death, he was four years old at the time, making him the youngest Peer of the Realm.

Following his father's death, Lister's mother remarried in 1835 to John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, who would later serve as Prime Minister. Adelaide Lister died in November 1838 shortly after giving birth. After her death, Lister and his sisters resided with Earl Russell and his second wife, Fanny, at 37 Chesham Place in London.

His early education comprised private tuition, and he spent some time at Eton College. On 4 June 1846, Lister matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford. In 1849, he purchased the rank of cornet in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, a military position he held until his retirement in 1850.

In 1850, Lister was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Riding. He was notably involved in horse racing, beginning with the significant purchase of Jonathan Peel's entire stud in August 1851. This acquisition caused concern for his stepfather, John Russell. Lister owned and raced horses under his own name and through his trainer William Day. His horses achieved some success; notably, the horse St. Giles was regarded as one of the year's best, winning the Betting Room Stakes at Doncaster and the Great Northamptonshire Stakes. Lister was known to wager heavily on his horses, often against the advice of his trainer.

In May 1853, Lister married Emma Mure, daughter of Colonel William Mure of Caldwell, Ayrshire. The couple had five children: Thomas, Beatrix, Martin, Adelaide, and Reginald. During their marriage, the family lived in France for a period, a common practice at the time among families seeking renewal after financial difficulties.

Lister's life ended by suicide on 25 August 1876 while staying at Leukerbad, Switzerland. The circumstances of his death have been linked to financial difficulties and his involvement in horse racing. His son Thomas succeeded him as the 4th Baron Ribblesdale.