Lionel Dawson-Damer, 4th Earl of Portarlington


Lionel Seymour William Dawson-Damer, 4th Earl of Portarlington, known as Lionel Dawson-Damer until 1889, was a British peer and Conservative politician.

Background

Portarlington was the only son of the Hon. George Dawson-Damer, younger son of John Dawson, 1st Earl of Portarlington. His mother was Mary Georgiana Emma, daughter of Lord Hugh Seymour. According to a private letter between Louisa & Eddy Eliot, dated 27 Sep 1841, their brother's friend "Seymour Damer is gone to school in Liverpool".

Political career

Portarlington was returned to Parliament for the Portarlington constituency in 1857, a seat he held until 1865 and again between 1868 and 1880. In 1889 he succeeded his cousin as fourth Earl of Portarlington. However, as this was an Irish peerage he was not allowed to take a seat in the House of Lords.
He was promoted from cornet to lieutenant in the Dorsetshire Yeomanry on 20 April 1858.

Family

Lord Portarlington married the Honourable Harriett Lydia, daughter of Henry Montagu, 6th Baron Rokeby, on 19 Apr 1855. They had several children. He died on 17 Dec 1892, aged 60, and was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest son, Lionel. Lady Portarlington died in November 1894.