Harold Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon

Who was Harold Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon?

Harold Arthur Lee-Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon CH FBA was an English antiquary and a leading authority on the history of arms and armour and medieval costume.

The eldest son of the Arthur Dillon, 16th Viscount Dillon, he was born in Victoria Square, Westminster, and educated at private school and at the University of Bonn, Germany. He purchased an Ensigncy in the Rifle Brigade in 1862 and a Lieutenantcy in 1866. He served in India and Canada, but resigned his commission in 1874. He then joined the Oxfordshire Militia as a Captain. He was promoted Major in 1885 and retired in 1891. He succeeded his father as 17th Viscount Dillon in 1892.

After leaving the regular army he devoted himself to antiquarian study, writing over fifty books and articles. He was chairman of the trustees of the National Portrait Gallery from 1894 to 1928. To them he bequeathed various portraits from Ditchley Park, Charlbury including the portrait of his ancestor Sir Henry Lee by Antonio Moro. He served as Curator of the Royal Armouries from 1892 to 1913.

He was President of the Royal Archaeological Institute from 1892 to 1898 and President of the Society of Antiquaries of London from 1897 to 1904. He was the founding president of the Society for Army Historical Research holding the position until his death. He was elected a founding Fellow of the British Academy in 1902. He was also appointed antiquary to the Royal Academy.