The Yellow Earl
Almost an Emperor, not quite a Gentleman
Published on 3. September 2015
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-910723-03-6 (ISBN)
Description
The 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Lowther, was perhaps the most famous English Lord in the world by the 1880s. His reckless spending of his vast fortune, his womanising, his love of fast-living, horses, hunting and boxing rocked the Edwardian aristocracy and has endeared him to risk-takers and bon-viveurs the world over ever since.
As a penniless, wayward, younger son who had not expected to inherit, Hugh had joined a travelling circus for a year after leaving Eton, then moved on to America, spending months buffalo-hunting. He pawned his birthright to make his fortune from cattle ranching in Wyoming and was practically destitute when the scheme failed.
But then his older brother unexpectedly died, Hugh took both the title and the vast fortune that went with it, and the rest is history: a close friend of Edward VII, a great public benefactor and an unforgettable showman in everything he did, his biography is a pacey, elegant and fascinating tribute to one of aristocracy's greatest eccentrics.
As a penniless, wayward, younger son who had not expected to inherit, Hugh had joined a travelling circus for a year after leaving Eton, then moved on to America, spending months buffalo-hunting. He pawned his birthright to make his fortune from cattle ranching in Wyoming and was practically destitute when the scheme failed.
But then his older brother unexpectedly died, Hugh took both the title and the vast fortune that went with it, and the rest is history: a close friend of Edward VII, a great public benefactor and an unforgettable showman in everything he did, his biography is a pacey, elegant and fascinating tribute to one of aristocracy's greatest eccentrics.
Reviews / Votes
This life of Hugh Lowther, fifth Earl of Lonsdale, is a delightful romp through his vivid world. Sutherland's book in its yellow Lonsdale livery, is engrossing. * The Field * Sometimes people say you should live every day like it's your last, but very few can afford this luxury. Therefore it's spell-binding to read such a thorough account of someone who did - spell-binding but also strangely sad at the same time. * Shooting Gazette * This biography is a pacey, elegant and fascinating tribute to one of aristocracy's greatest eccentrics. * Hounds Magazine * A gripping tale of Cumbria's most colourful character. * Cumbria Life * The Yellow Earl's love of womanising, boxing, gambling, horses and hunting - not to mention his reckless spending of his vast fortune - rocked the Edwardian aristocracy and endeared him to risk-takers and bon viveurs the world over. * Fieldsports Magazine *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Shropshire
United Kingdom
Illustrations
104 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
797 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-910723-03-6 (9781910723036)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2015
Merlin Unwin Books
€8.39
Available for download
Person
Douglas Sutherland (1919-95), author and journalist, was born in Appleby, Westmoreland and had always been fascinated by the local tales of the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, as related by the tenants and miners of Whitehaven, and by the Lonsdale family who co-operated with him in this biography.
An accomplished journalist, generous habitue of Fleet Street's El Vino and of Soho's Colony Room, Sutherland lived life to the full and often on the edge. He had three wives and five children.
He worked for the London Evening Standard, and wrote several books including The English Gentleman. Sutherland shared many of the characteristics of the Earl of Lonsdale: he was physically brave, spent money like water, was a great raconteur and had a taste for fun and adventure. Sutherland had a distinguished war record, earning him the Military Cross.
An accomplished journalist, generous habitue of Fleet Street's El Vino and of Soho's Colony Room, Sutherland lived life to the full and often on the edge. He had three wives and five children.
He worked for the London Evening Standard, and wrote several books including The English Gentleman. Sutherland shared many of the characteristics of the Earl of Lonsdale: he was physically brave, spent money like water, was a great raconteur and had a taste for fun and adventure. Sutherland had a distinguished war record, earning him the Military Cross.