The Right Honourable The Viscount Long PC JP FRS |
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The Viscount Long (1903).
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Secretary of State for the Colonies | |
In office 10 December 1916 – 10 January 1919 |
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Monarch | George V |
Prime Minister | David Lloyd George |
Preceded by | Bonar Law |
Succeeded by | The Viscount Milner |
First Lord of the Admiralty | |
In office 10 January 1919 – 13 February 1921 |
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Monarch | George V |
Prime Minister | David Lloyd George |
Preceded by | Sir Eric Geddes |
Succeeded by | The Viscount Lee of Fareham |
Leader of the Irish Unionist Alliance | |
In office 1906–1910 |
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Preceded by | Edward James Saunderson |
Succeeded by | Sir Edward Carson |
Personal details | |
Born |
13 July 1854 Bath, England |
Died |
26 September 1924 West Ashton, England |
Nationality | British |
Political party |
Conservative Ulster Unionist |
Spouse(s) | Lady Dorothy Boyle (c. 1860–1938) |
Children | 5 |
Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Religion | Anglican |
Walter Hume Long, 1st Viscount Long PC JP FRS (13 July 1854 – 26 September 1924) was a British Unionist politician. In a political career spanning over 40 years, he held office as President of the Board of Agriculture, President of the Local Government Board, Chief Secretary for Ireland, Secretary of State for the Colonies and First Lord of the Admiralty. He is also remembered for his links with Irish Unionism, and served as Leader of the Irish Unionist Party in the House of Commons from 1906 to 1910.
Long was born at Bath, the eldest son of Richard Penruddocke Long, by his wife Charlotte Anna, daughter of William Wentworth FitzWilliam Dick (originally Hume). Richard Chaloner, 1st Baron Gisborough, was his younger brother. On his father's side he was descended from an old family of Wiltshire gentry, and on his mother's side from Anglo-Irish gentry in County Wicklow. A young Walter lived at Dolforgan, Montgomeryshire, a property owned by his grandfather, where he learnt to ride. Whilst living there, his father inherited the Rood Ashton estate. Long went to Hilperton school, Amesbury, where he was harshly disciplined by Edwin Meyrick. At Harrow, Walter was popular, proving a sporty captain of cricket. It was during his studies at Christ Church, Oxford, that his father had a mental breakdown, and two years later died in February 1875. Upon his father's death, he took over management of the family properties, whilst his mother moved into a house in Oxford. It was a stressful time, during which he was frequently summoned by his mother, and his younger brother also accumulated gathering debts. Long continued to box, ride and hunt, as well as play college cricket. Afternoons spent with the Bicester, Heythrops, and South Oxfordshire hunts, were matched by the university Drag Hunt. His proficiency was reflected in the early offer to become Master of the Vale of White Horse, which he turned down. His agent H Medlicott despaired at the danger to the family fortune, urging him to cut his relations loose; but he raised a new £30,000 mortgage on lands, which Medlicott complained, he would have to sell. On coming down from Oxford in 1877, he purchased a Coach and Four for £200. After a year in Wiltshire, he married Lady Boyle.