Constituency : Cumberland East 1879-80, 1881-85
George succeeded his deceased father as MP for Cumberland East.
George was a grandson of the 6th Earl of Carlisle. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge then went off to study at the Heatherley School of Fine Art. He became part of the Etruscan school and married Rosalind Stanley who became known as a campaigner for temperance and female suffrage. She assisted the campaigns of both George and his father. He became friendly with Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris and a patron of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His work was exhibited from 1867 onwards.
George spoke in favour of opening museums on a Sunday in 1882. He said that all the classes had "a right to see the treasures of which they were joint owners on the only day it was convenient for them to go there". His parliamentary contributions were usually on cultural matters. He became a Trustee of the National Gallery. He also supported policemen's pensions and the employment of ex-servicemen.
George travelled widely particularly to Italy and Egypt.
In 1880 George was pushed into third place by a Tory but he died within a year and George regained the seat in the by-election. He did not stand for a new seat when Cumberland East was abolished.
George went over to the Liberal Unionists while Rosalind stayed loyal to Gladstone.
George became Earl of Carlisle himself in 1889.
George was known to be charming and courteous but also somewhat sceptical and ironic.
He died in 1911 aged 67. His son Charles was a Conservative MP.
No comments:
Post a Comment