John Lambton, 5th Earl Of Durham

John Frederick Lambton, 5th Earl of Durham, was born on October 7, 1884. He was the eldest son of Frederick Lambton, 4th Earl of Durham, and Beatrix Bulteel. His early education was at Eton College. Durham inherited the peerage and associated titles following his father's death on January 31, 1929. Between 1928 and 1929, he was styled as Viscount Lambton.

In terms of military service, Durham was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 5th (Militia) Battalion of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers on February 4, 1903. During the First World War, he served as a captain in the 3rd/7th Battalion of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and sustained injuries in combat.

Durham was married twice. His first marriage took place on November 12, 1919, to Diana Mary Farquhar, born July 19, 1901. They had two sons: John Roderick Geoffrey Francis Edward Lambton, Viscount Lambton, born September 6, 1920, who died by suicide on February 4, 1941, and Antony Claud Frederick Lambton, born July 10, 1922, who succeeded as the 6th Earl of Durham and lived until December 30, 2006.

Following the death of his first wife in 1924, Durham married second on March 4, 1931, to Hermione Bullough, daughter of Sir George Bullough, 1st Baronet. They had one son, Hon John George Lambton, born June 10, 1932, who passed away on August 21, 2012.

John Frederick Lambton, 5th Earl of Durham, died on February 4, 1970, aged 85. His successor in the earldom was his eldest surviving son, Antony, who, nonetheless, disclaimed the peerage soon after inheriting it.

He is known for donating the Penshaw Monument to the National Trust. His contributions to public life also include parliamentary activities, with records of his contributions available in Hansard from 1803 to 2005.