George Osborne, 10th Duke of Leeds


George Godolphin Osborne, 10th Duke of Leeds, JP, styled Earl of Danby from birth until 1872 and subsequently Marquess of Carmarthen until 1895, was a British peer and Conservative politician.

Early life

He was the second and oldest surviving son of The 9th Duke of Leeds and his wife, The Hon. Frances Georgiana Pitt-Rivers, daughter of The 4th Baron Rivers. Leeds was educated at Eton College and then at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Career

He entered the British House of Commons, as the Marquess of Carmarthen, in 1887, representing Brixton until December 1895, when he succeeded his father in his titles. In his first three years as Member of Parliament, Lord Carmarthen was assistant secretary to The 1st Baron Knutsford.
He served as Treasurer of the Household in 1895 and 1896, and sat in the London County Council. Leeds was a Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of the County of York. He was a lieutenant in the Yorkshire Hussars and an honorary captain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Leeds commanded the Royal Yacht Squadron and was a naval aide-de-camp to the King.
At the end of the nineteenth-century, the Duke of Leeds was initiated into the fraternal society of the Ancient Order of Druids and was present in Stonehenge in August 1905 for the first massive ceremony organized by the A.O.D.
The Duke was noted for his racing greyhounds. His gambling debts played a part in the sale of the family seat Hornby Castle by his heir.

Personal life

On 13 February 1884 he married Lady Katherine Frances Lambton, second daughter of The 2nd Earl of Durham and Lady Beatrix Frances Hamilton, at St Paul's Knightsbridge, and had by her, four daughters and one son.
Leeds died on 10 May 1927, aged sixty-four, and was buried on 14 May. He was succeeded in the peerage by his only son, John.