Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe

Henry John Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe KT MVO (24 July 1876 – 29 September 1932) was a Scottish peer and courtier.

His Grace The Duke of Roxburghe KT MVO
Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle
In office 1926-1932
Preceded by	The Duke of Montrose
Succeeded by	The Earl of Mar
Personal details
Born	Henry John Innes-Ker 24 July 1876
Died	29 September 1932 (aged 56)
Spouse(s)	Mary Goelet ​ (m. 1903)​
Children	George Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe
Parents	James Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe Anne Emily Spencer-Churchill
Relatives	Winston Churchill (first cousin)
Residence	Floors Castle
Education	Royal Military College, Sandhurst
Alma mater	Eton College
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Branch/service	4th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Rank	2nd Lieutenant
Battles/wars	Second Boer War World War I

Early life

Floors Castle

Henry John Innes-Ker was born on 24 July 1876. He was the son of James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe (1839–1892) and Lady Anne Emily Spencer-Churchill (1854–1923), the fourth daughter of John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, who served in Conservative governments as Lord President of the Council and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and his wife, Lady Frances Vane, daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.[1] His first cousin was Winston Churchill. His younger brother, Lord Robert Edward Innes-Ker (1885–1958) married the actress Jose Collins.[2]

He attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and Eton College.[3][4]

Peerage

On 23 October 1892, following his father's death, he succeeded to the titles of 8th Duke of Roxburghe, 8th Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford, 12th Earl of Roxburghe, 8th Earl of Kelso, 3rd Earl Innes, 8th Viscount of Broxmouth, 9th Baronet Innes, 12th Lord Roxburghe, and 12th Lord Ker of Cessford and Cavertoun.[3]

Career

He started his military career as a lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards.[4] In 1895, he gained the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the service of the 4th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Militia) In 1900, he served with the Household Cavalry composite regiment in South Africa during the Second Boer War.[5] In March 1901, he was appointed an Aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cornwall and York during his colonial tour March–October 1901.[6] He later served in World War I, and was severely wounded.

The Duke was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in February 1901.[7] He was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle (KT) in the 1902 Coronation Honours list published on 26 June 1902,[8] and was invested by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 8 August 1902.[9] He served as Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle from 1926 until his death.[3]

He served as the Lord Lieutenant of Roxburghshire from 1918 until his death. He was appointed a lieutenant of the Royal Company of Archers in 1930.[3]

Personal life

On 10 November 1903,[10] he married Mary Goelet (1878–1937), daughter of the New York real-estate millionaire Ogden Goelet.[11] At the time of their marriage, she was one of the wealthiest American heiress, with a dowry of twenty million dollars, exceeded only by that of Consuelo Vanderbilt.[12][13] They lived at Floors Castle on 60,500 acres,[4] which Mary decorated with her own collection of art including a series of 17th century Gobelins Manufactory tapestries.[14] Together, they had one child:

• George Victor Robert John Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe (1913–1974),[15][16] whose sponsor was King George. One of his godparents was Queen Alexandra.[17]

The Duke of Roxburghe died on 29 September 1932 and was succeeded in his titles by his only son, George Victor Robert John Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe.[4][16]

References

Notes

1. Quinault 2004.
2. "Lord R. Innes-Ker weds Jose Collins; Brother of Duke of Roxburghe Married to Musical Comedy Actress in London. Ceremony was a Secret. Bride, Daughter of Late Lottie Collins, Won First Success Herein "The Merry Countess." New York Times, 4 November 1920, p. 16], (citation only)( full article)
3. Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, United States: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003
4. Times, Wireless to the New York (30 September 1932). "DUKE OF ROXBURGH DIES AT AGE OF 56; Stricken Suddenly After Attending Funeral of His Friend, Michael G. Herbert. | I MARRIED MAY GOELET HERE | Ceremony in 1903 One of Important Society Events of That Year | Was Wounded in War". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
5. Biggins, David. "Officers in the Relief of Kimberley". www.angloboerwar.com. Anglo Boer War. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
6. "No. 27293". The London Gazette. 12 March 1901. p. 1763.
7. "No. 27285". The London Gazette. 15 February 1901. p. 1146.
8. "The Coronation Honours". The Times (36804). London. 26 June 1902. p. 5.
9. "Court Circular". The Times (36842). London. 9 August 1902. p. 6.
10. "THE ROXBURGHE WEDDING; Private Rehearsal Held at St. Thomas's Church. Programme of Today's Ceremony -- Simple Reception to Follow at the Goelet Residence". The New York Times. 10 November 1903. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
11. "DUKE OF ROXBURGHE MARRIES MISS GOELET; Second American Heiress to be Made a Duchess in St, Thomas's WOMEN MOB HER CARRIAGE Extraordinary Demonstration Near the Church by Faminine Sightseers Keeps Police Busy -- Reception at Mrs. Goelet's Home". The New York Times. 11 November 1903. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
12. "Marriage Announcement". The New York Times. 3 September 1903.
13. "MOTHER AND SISTER OF ROXBURGHE HERE; Duchess Denies Story of Objection to American Brides. Plans for the Wedding Complete -- The Decorations at the Church and Home of the Bride". The New York Times. 8 November 1903. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
14. "Illustrated Guide to Places to Visit - Floors Castle". Retrieved 27 March 2016.
15. Times, Special Cable to the New York (9 September 1913). "SON AND HEIR BORN TO THE ROXBURGHES; Duke and Duchess, Former Miss May Goelet, Congratulated by King and Queen". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
16. Times, Special to the New York (27 September 1974). "George Innes‐Ker, Ninth Duke of Roxburghe, Dies in Scotland". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
17. Times, Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to the New York (24 September 1913). "King to be Roxburghe Sponsor". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.

Sources

• Quinault, Roland (2004). "Churchill, John Winston Spencer, seventh duke of Marlborough (1822–1883)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5403. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

External links

• Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe at Find a Grave