Frederick Irby, 2nd Baron Boston


Frederick Irby, 2nd Baron Boston was an English peer, landowner, and courtier.

Early life

The Hon. Frederick Irby was born on 9 June 1749, the son of William Irby, 1st Baron Boston and Albinia Selwyn.
He graduated from Oxford University on 8 July 1763 with a Doctor of Civil Laws, and from St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1769 with a Master of Arts.
He succeeded his father as 3rd Baronet Irby, of Whapload and Boston and 2nd Baron Boston, on 30 March 1775.

Marriage and children

He married Christian Methuen, daughter of Paul Methuen and Catharine Cobb of Corsham Court, Wiltshire, on 15 May 1775.
They had thirteen children, including:
In 1778, Irby built a new mansion at his estate at Hedsor House, near Taplow, Buckinghamshire. An engraving of the manor, by his brother-in-law Archdeacon John Gooch, is now in the British Museum.
An amateur etcher, Irby was invested as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on 8 January 1778.
In later life he was a courtier, holding the office of Lord of the Bedchamber to both George III and George IV, from 1780 until his death in 1825. King George III was godfather to Irby’s oldest son and heir, George, at his baptism on 28 January 1778.
Irby died on 23 March 1825, aged 75, at Lower Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London. His widow died on 9 May 1832.