Baron Digby


Baron Digby is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Ireland and once in the Peerage of Great Britain, for members of the same family.
Robert Digby, Governor of King's County was created Baron Digby, of Geashill in the King's County in the Peerage of Ireland in 1620. He was the nephew of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol. Lord Digby's grandson, the third Baron, and the latter's younger brothers, the fourth and fifth Barons, all represented Warwick in Parliament.
The 5th Baron's grandson, the 6th Baron, sat as a Member of Parliament for Malmesbury and for Wells. His younger brother, the 7th Baron, represented Ludgershall and Wells in the House of Commons. In 1765, he was created Baron Digby, of Sherborne in the County of Dorset, in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the male issue of his father. In 1790, Lord Digby was further honoured when he was made Viscount Coleshill and Earl Digby also in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the issue male of his body.
His son, the 2nd Earl, was Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1808 to 1856. He never married, and on his death in 1856, the viscountcy and earldom became extinct. However, he was succeeded in the two baronies by his first cousin once removed, the 9th Baron. He was the son of Admiral Sir Henry Digby, son of the Very Reverend the Honourable William Digby, younger brother of the 6th Baron and the first Earl Digby. His son, the 10th Baron, sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was succeeded by his son, the 11th Baron. He was Chairman of the Dorset County Council from 1955 to 1964 and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1952 to 1964. The son, the 12th Baron, also served as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1984 to 1999. the titles are held by his son, the 13th Baron, who succeeded in 2018.
Two female members of the family have also gained fame. Jane Digby was the sister of the 9th Baron while Hon. Pamela Harriman, American Ambassador to France, was the eldest daughter of the 11th Baron and the sister of the 12th Baron.
The family seat is Minterne House, near Dorchester, Dorset.

Baron Digby (1620, Ire)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son the Hon. Edward St Vincent Kenelm Digby.

Male-line family tree