Kenelm Lee Guinness
| Kenelm Edward "Bill" Lee Guinness | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
14 August 1887 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 10 April 1937 (aged 49) at home, Kingston Hill, London |
| Cause of death | Suicide, by domestic gas |
| Resting place | Putney Vale Cemetery, London |
| Residence | Putney, London |
| Education | Cambridge University |
| Occupation | Racing motorist, spark plug manufacturer |
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Strangman "Posey" on 26 January 1928, divorced in 1936 |
| Children | Sir Kenelm Ernest Lee Guinness, 4th Bt. b. 13 Dec 1928, d. 6 May 2011, Geraldine St. Lawrence Lee Guinness b. 24 Sep 1930 |
| Parent(s) | Father: Benjamin Lee Guinness, 3rd son of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, 1st Baronet, Lady Henrietta Eliza St. Lawence |
| Relatives | Guinness brewing family |
Kenelm Edward Lee Guinness MBE (14 August 1887 – 10 April 1937) was an Irish-born racing driver of the 1910s and 1920s mostly associated with Sunbeam racing cars. He set a new Land Speed Record in 1922. Also an automotive engineer, he invented and manufactured the KLG spark plug. A member of the Guinness brewing family, and a director of the company, he lived and died in Putney Vale, and was buried at the nearby cemetery, bordering Putney Heath.
Guinness's interest in motor racing began whilst at Cambridge University, as riding mechanic to his elder brother Sir Algernon Guinness.
His first major race as a driver was the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. His Darracq retired early, owing to axle failure. This involvement with the closely related Sunbeam, Talbot and Darracq marques continued throughout his career. In the same year he also took part in the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit des Ardennes.
Around this time he acquired space in a disused pub, 'The Bald Faced Stag' in Putney, London as a base for his motor-racing exploits.
From 1913 he was an official driver for Sunbeam, along with Henry Segrave. Sunbeam's engine designer, Louis Coatalen, became a friend and assisted his motor-racing career, driving Sunbeam or Talbot cars. This continued in 1914, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924 alongside such famous drivers as Jean Chassagne.
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