Henry Matthews, 1st Viscount Llandaff
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Victoria | |
---|---|
Prime Minister | The Marquess of Salisbury |
Preceded by | Hugh Childers |
Succeeded by | H. H. Asquith |
Personal details | |
Born | 13 January 1826 Ceylon |
Died | 3 April 1913 London | (aged 87)
Nationality | English |
Political party | Conservative |
Alma mater | University of London |
Henry Matthews, 1st Viscount Llandaff, PC, KC (13 January 1826 – 3 April 1913) was an English lawyer and Conservative politician. He is best remembered for his role in the 1885 Sir Charles Dilke divorce trial and for his tenure as Home Secretary from 1886 to 1892.
Background and education
The member of an old
Legal career
Matthews was
Political career
In 1868 Matthews was elected
He returned to
Matthews' tenure of the office was notable more for its administrative success than for political achievement. He was thought 'too clever' and his aloof and 'somewhat foreign' manner made it difficult for him to command the House of Commons. In 1887, he gave a seemingly flippant response in the House to a genuine question about the mistaken arrest of
Matthews continued as Home Secretary until the Liberals returned to power in 1892. When the Conservatives took power again in 1895, Victoria was again keen for him to take office but opposition within the Conservative Party prevented it.[citation needed] Instead he was ennobled as Viscount Llandaff of Hereford in the County of Hereford.[5] He was closely associated with the campaign which resulted in the building of Westminster Cathedral.[citation needed]
Personal life
Matthews inherited property from several relatives, which left him financially independent. Indeed, upon his death his estate was valued at almost £260,000.[citation needed]
He died unmarried in 1913 at the age of 87 at his London home and was buried at Clehonger, Herefordshire, near Belmont Abbey. The viscountcy died with him.[citation needed]
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References
- ^ "No. 23354". The London Gazette. 21 February 1868. p. 837.
- ^ "leighrayment.com House of Commons: Dumbarton to Dysart Burghs". Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "leighrayment.com House of Commons: Bethnal Green to Blyth Valley". Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "No. 25614". The London Gazette. 6 August 1886. p. 3779.
- ^ "No. 26650". The London Gazette. 6 August 1895. p. 4431.
- ^ Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage & Companionage. 1903.