[6th Marquess]. British Unionist politician, a prominent leader of the opposition to the Home Rule bill introduced by the Asquith Government in April 1912; viceroy of Ireland (1886–1889), chairman of the London School Board (1895–1897), postmaster-general (1900–1902), president of the Board of Education (1902–1905) and lord president of the Council (1903–1905). He was one of the first Unionists to sign the Ulster covenant September 28, 1912, and subscribed largely to the funds accumulated by the Irish Unionists. Lord Londonderry was one of the largest coal-owners in the north of England, and by his energy and business capacity greatly increased the value of his property. He died at Wynyard Park, Stockton-on-Tees, on the 8th of February 1915. Lord Londonderry married in 1875 Lady Theresa Chetwynd Talbot, elder daughter of the 19th Earl of Shrewsbury, who was well known for her philanthropic and political work and also as a brilliant hostess. During her residence in Ireland Lady Londonderry did much for the promotion of Irish industries, and in later life she completely identified herself with her husband’s activities on behalf of the Unionist cause. She died in London on the 16th of March 1919.
Their eldest son, Charles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry (1878–1949), was born in London on the 13th of May 1878. He was educated at Eton, and afterwards entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. As Viscount Castlereagh he entered the House of Commons in 1906 as Unionist member for Maidstone. He served during the World War, and in 1915 succeeded his father as 7th marquess. He married in 1899 Edith, daughter of 1st Viscount Chaplin, who did much valuable work during the World War as the originator of the Women’s Legion. She founded the corps of “Domestic Legionaries,” as an attempt to solve the problem of domestic service, and in 1917 was created D.B.E.
