Background
Gainsborough was the only child of Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough, by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Grey, 1st Baronet. His mother died two weeks after he was born.
Gainsborough was the only child of Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough, by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Grey, 1st Baronet. His mother died two weeks after he was born.
He was educated privately and at Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was the half-brother of Gerard Noel. He then served a year as High Sheriff of Rutland for 1848. In 1866 he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords.
The following year he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, which he remained until his death.
He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Prince Albert"s Own Leicestershire Yeomanry from 1879-1881, recorded as Captain on 12 August 1850. Lord Gainsborough married Ida Harriet Augusta, daughter of William Hay, 18th Earl of Erroll and Elizabeth FitzClarence, illegitimate daughter of King William IV, in 1841.
The family home was at Flitteriss Park. They had five children.
Lady Blanche (c1845-1881), who married Thomas Murphy
Lady Constance (1847-1891), who married Sir Henry Bellingham, 4th Baronet
Charles, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough (20 October 1850 – 17 April 1926), had issue.
Edward (1852-1917), who married Ruth Lucas
Lady Edith (died 1890), who became a nun. Lady Gainsborough died in October 1867. Lord Gainsborough remained a widower until his death in August 1881, aged 62.
13th United Kingdom Parliament.