William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 6th Earl Fitzwilliam

Who was William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 6th Earl Fitzwilliam?

William Thomas Spencer Wentworth-FitzWilliam, 6th Earl FitzWilliam, KG was a British peer and Liberal politician.

Born Viscount Milton, he was the second son of Charles Wentworth-FitzWilliam, 5th Earl FitzWilliam and his wife, Hon. Mary Dundas. He became Member of Parliament for Malton in 1837. Holding the seat until 1841, he later reclaimed it in 1846 and then sat for Wicklow from 1847 until 1857, the year he inherited his father's earldom.

On 10 September 1838, Lord FitzWilliam married Lady Frances Harriet Douglas, the eldest daughter of George Douglas, 17th Earl of Morton. They had fourteen children:

William, styled Viscount Milton, politician.

Hon. Henry, politician.

Lady Frances Mary

Lady Margaret Mary

Lady Mary

Hon. Thomas

Hon. Charles, courtier.

Hon. John, politician.

Lady Albreda Mary

Hon. William George Frederick

Lady Charlotte Mary

Hon. Hugh Spencer

Hon. Reginald

Lady Alice Mary

In 1857, Lord FitzWilliam was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire, a Knight of the Garter in 1862 and a Yeomanry Aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria in 1884. Resigning from his lord lieutenancy in 1892 and ADC in 1894, he died in 1902. As his eldest son predeceased him, his titles passed to his grandson, William.