Francis Egerton, 3rd Earl of Ellesmere


Francis Charles Granville Egerton, 3rd Earl of Ellesmere VD, DL, JP, styled Viscount Brackley between 1857 and 1862, was a British peer, soldier and author from the Egerton family. He owned several racehorses and land.

Background

Born in London, he was the eldest son of the George Egerton, 2nd Earl of Ellesmere, and his wife, Lady Mary Louisa, the youngest daughter of John Campbell, 1st Earl Cawdor. In 1862, aged only fifteen, he succeeded his father as earl. Egerton was educated at Eton College and then at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts in 1867.

Career

On 13 May 1864 Egerton was commissioned as a cornet in the part-time Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, in which his father had previously served and which was commanded by his uncle, the Hon Algernon Egerton. He was promoted to captain in 1869 From 14 April 1875 he also served as Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 40th Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps in succession to his uncle.
He was granted an honorary majorship in the Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry in July 1884 and was confirmed to the full rank in October. Two years later, Egerton became an honorary lieutenant-colonel and in January 1891 received command of the regiment.
In March 1891 he retired from the Volunteers and he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He retired from the Yeomanry in January 1896 and became the regiment's honorary colonel two months later. Egerton received the Volunteer Decoration in November that year.
He was appointed a Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of Saint John in 1908 and was advanced to a Knight of Justice in 1910. Egerton was a Justice of the Peace for the counties of Lancaster and Northampton and a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Family

On 9 December 1868, he married Lady Katherine Louisa Phipps, second daughter of George Phipps, 2nd Marquess of Normanby. They had eleven children, six daughters and five sons.
Egerton died in 1914 and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son, John. His wife survived him until 1926.

Works