William Craven, 5th Earl of Craven


William George Bradley Craven, 5th Earl of Craven was a British peer.

Early life

Craven was born on 31 July 1897 at Combe Abbey, Warwickshire, the son of William Craven, 4th Earl of Craven, and his American wife, Cornelia Martin.
His mother was the only daughter of Bradley Martin and his wife Cornelia, who were famed as the hosts of the Bradley-Martin Ball.

Career

He inherited the earldom at age 23 upon the accidental drowning of his father William Craven, 4th Earl of Craven on 9 July 1921.
The 5th Earl served during the World War I as a Lieutenant with the 3rd Bn. Royal Hampshire Regiment and was wounded in action.

Personal life

On 14 October 1916 he married Mary Williamina George, daughter of William George, the town clerk of Invergordon. Together they had one son:
Lord Craven died on 15 September 1932 of peritonitis at Pau, France, at the age of 35. He was succeeded by his son, William Robert Bradley Craven, 6th Earl of Craven, upon his death on 15 September 1932. His wife survived him by 42 years, dying in 1974.

Coat of arms