Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 5th Earl Fitzwilliam

Charles William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, 5th Earl Fitzwilliam in the peerage of Ireland and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam in the peerage of Great Britain, was born on 4 May 1786 and died on 4 October 1857. He was a British nobleman and politician, notable for his roles in scientific societies. He served as president of the Royal Statistical Society three times, in the periods 1838–1840, 1847–1849, and 1853–1855. Additionally, he was the inaugural president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science during 1831–1832.

Early Life:

Fitzwilliam was the only son of William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, and his first wife, Lady Charlotte Ponsonby. His father held positions such as Lord President of the Council and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His maternal grandfather was William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough. After the death of his mother in 1822, his father remarried in 1823 to Louisa, Baroness Ponsonby, daughter of Richard Molesworth, 3rd Viscount Molesworth, but she died in February 1824. Fitzwilliam's paternal grandparents were William Fitzwilliam, 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam, and Lady Anne Watson-Wentworth, daughter of Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham, and sister of Prime Minister Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. His father inherited the estates of the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham in 1782. He was educated at Eton College from 1796 to 1802.

Career:

Prior to inheriting the earldom, he was known by the courtesy title of Viscount Milton. He served as the Whig Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire from 1831 until 1832. Fitzwilliam was a supporter of Parliamentary Reform and was an advocate for the repeal of the Corn Laws. His family seat was Wentworth Woodhouse, which is reputedly the largest private house in England.

Personal Life:

On 8 July 1806, Fitzwilliam married his cousin, the Hon. Mary Dundas, daughter of Thomas Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas, and Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam, the 4th Earl's sister. They had thirteen children, among whom was William Thomas Spencer Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, who became the 6th Earl Fitzwilliam. Their children included Lady Charlotte Wentworth-FitzWilliam, Lady Mary Wentworth-FitzWilliam, William Charles Wentworth-FitzWilliam (Viscount Milton), Lady Frances Laura Wentworth-FitzWilliam, William Thomas Spencer Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (6th Earl), Hon. George Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, Lady Anne Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, Lady Dorothy Wentworth-FitzWilliam, Hon. John Wentworth-FitzWilliam, Lady Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, Hon. Charles William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, and others.

His children formed connections through marriage to various notable families, including the families of Lord Liverpool, Viscount Portman, and Sir James John Randoll Mackenzie. Fitzwilliam died on 4 October 1857, leaving behind a lineage with significant social and political ties.

References:

- Not specified in the provided text.

External Links:

- Hansard contributions in Parliament by Viscount Milton (1803–2005).