George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton

George William Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton and 4th Baron Westcote, was born on 31 March 1817 and died on 19 April 1876. He was an English aristocrat and a member of the Conservative political movement associated with the Lyttelton family.

Lyttelton was the eldest son of William Henry Lyttelton, 3rd Baron Lyttelton, and Lady Sarah Spencer, who was the daughter of George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer. His early education included attendance at Eton College, a prestigious boarding school, followed by studies at Trinity College, Cambridge.

In 1837, Lyttelton succeeded his father as the 4th Baron Lyttelton, at which point he inherited the family estate at Hagley Hall located in Worcestershire. He officially took his seat in the House of Lords in 1838, when he reached the age of 21.

His political career included serving as Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in the Conservative government led by Sir Robert Peel in January 1846. However, his tenure in this role lasted until June of the same year, corresponding with the fall of Peel’s government. From 1839 to 1876, Lyttelton also held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire. In 1854, he became the first President of the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

Lyttelton was involved in colonial development projects, notably promoting the settlement of Canterbury, New Zealand, with Anglican colonists beginning in 1850. The port town of Lyttelton in New Zealand is named after him. Additionally, he served as president of the British Chess Association during the controversy between Staunton and Morphy in 1858.

In recognition of his services, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 1869 Birthday Honours.

Regarding his family, Lord Lyttelton married twice. His first marriage was in 1839 to Mary Glynne, daughter of Sir Stephen Glynne, 8th Baronet, and sister-in-law of William Ewart Gladstone. They had twelve children: eight sons and four daughters. Among his children was Charles Lyttelton, who became the 8th Viscount Cobham. Other notable children included George William Spencer Lyttelton, a civil servant and private secretary to William Ewart Gladstone; Lavinia Lyttelton, who married Right Reverend Edward Stuart Talbot; and Alfred Lyttelton, who was both a politician and sportsman.

After Mary Glynne’s death in 1857, Lyttelton married Sybella Harriet Clive in 1869. They had three daughters: Sarah Kathleen, Sybil, and Hester Margaret.

Lyttelton's life ended in 1876 when he committed suicide by throwing himself down the stairs in a residence in London. His eldest son, Charles, succeeded him as the 5th Lord Lyttelton and later inherited the viscountcy of Cobham. Lady Lyttelton died in December 1900.