Henry Lowther (politician)

For the Major-General Sir Henry Cecil Lowther, see Cecil Lowther.

Henry Cecil Lowther

Cricket information
Batting style	Right-hand bat
Bowling style	Right-arm slow
International information
National side	English
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 47 Runs scored 387 Batting average 5.30 100s/50s 0/0 Top score 34 Balls bowled 0+ Wickets 7 Bowling average – 5 wickets in innings 0 10 wickets in match 0 Best bowling 3/? Catches/stumpings 11/0
Source: CricInfo

Hon Henry Cecil Lowther, DL, JP (1790–1867) was an English Conservative politician and an amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1843. He was the second son of William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, and his wife Lady Augusta (née Fane). His long service in the House of Commons saw him become the Father of the House.

Military career

Born 27 July 1790 at Lowther Castle, Westmorland, Lowther was Educated at Westminster School, he entered the army on 16 July 1807 as a cornet in the 7th Hussars. He was promoted lieutenant on 21 July 1808 and captain on 4 October 1810. He served with the 7th Hussars during the campaign of 1809 in Spain, including the battles of Mayorga, Sahagún, Benevente, and the retreat to Corunna. From 1812 until 1814, he was in Wellington's army during the Peninsular War, and was made a major in the 10th Hussars on 12 November 1815. He received the Peninsular Medal with three clasps after the war. On 20 April 1817 he went into the 12th Regiment of Foot as a lieutenant-colonel, with which rank he retired on half-pay. In 1830 he transferred to the 44th Foot.

Cricket career

A right-handed batsman and right arm slow roundarm bowler who was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Lowther made 47 known appearances in first-class matches. He played for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players series and also played for both Hampshire and Surrey.

Family

Lowther married Lady Lucy Eleanor Sherard, daughter of Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough, on 19 May 1817. They had seven children:

• Eleanor Cecily Lowther (d. 24 November 1894), married John Talbot Clifton on 22 April 1844
• Augusta Mary Lowther (d. 11 January 1916), married Gerard Noel
• Henry Lowther, 3rd Earl of Lonsdale (1818–1876)
• Arthur Lowther (12 July 1820 – 15 February 1855)
• William Lowther (1821–1912)
• Constantia Lowther (1831–1864), married Col. Robert Blücher Wood

Between 1818 and 1839, he played first-class cricket for Hampshire and Surrey. He was appointed colonel of the Royal Cumberland Militia in 1830.

First elected in 1812 for Westmorland, a constituency long in the family interest, he continued to be returned until his death on 6 December 1867 at Barleythorpe Hall, Rutland. In 1862, he became Father of the House. He was the last MP elected during the reign of George III.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Henry Lowther
• CricketArchive profile

Further reading

• Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volumes 1–11 (1744–1870), Lillywhite, 1862–72

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by James Lowther The Lord Muncaster	Member of Parliament for Westmorland 1812–1867 With: The Lord Muncaster 1812–1813 Viscount Lowther 1813–1831, 1832–1841 Alexander Nowell 1831–1832 William Thompson 1841–1854 The Earl of Bective 1854–1867	Succeeded by The Earl of Bective William Lowther
Preceded by Sir Charles Burrell	Father of the House of Commons 1862–1867	Succeeded by Thomas Peers Williams