Career
The Earl was famous for his appearance. He was known as "the beautiful Lord Strathmore". His character was later described by Jesse Foot thus:
"The late Earl of Strathmore was not calculated to make even a good learned woman a pleasing husband.
His Lordship"s pursuits were always innocent and without the smallest guile, but they were not those of science or any other splendid quality.
A sincere friend, a hearty Scotchman and a good bottle companion were points of his character."
This change of name required an Acting of Parliament. The two had five children:
Maria Jane Lyon (21 April 1768 – 22 April 1806).
Married Barrington Price, a Colonel of the British Army on 11 May 1789. Had issue. John Lyon-Bowes, 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne (14 April 1769 – 3 July 1820).
Anna Maria Lyon (3 June 1770 – 29 March 1832).
George Bowes-Lyon (17 November 1771 – 26 December 1806). Married Mary Thornhill. Thomas Bowes-Lyon, 11th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne (3 May 1773 – 27 August 1846).
From 1 October 1767 and until his death, he sat as a Scottish Representative peer in the House of Lords.
On 7 March 1776, Lord Strathmore died of tuberculosis whilst at sea on his way to Portugal.