The coat of arms of the duke of Roxburghe
George Victor Robert John Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe (7 September 1913 – 26 September 1974) was the son of Henry John Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe and Mary Goelet . He succeeded his father in 1932.
Early life
George Victor Robert John Innes-Ker was born on 7 September 1913 to Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe (1876–1932) and Mary Goelet (1878–1937).[ 1] He was born almost ten years after his parents were married, on 10 November 1903,[ 2]
He grew up at Floors Castle which was located on 60,500 acres,[ 3] which his mother decorated with her own collection of art including a series of 17th century Gobelins Manufactory tapestries.[ 4]
Family
His paternal grandparents were 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 .[ 5] His first cousin once removed was Winston Churchill . His uncle, Lord Robert Edward Innes-Ker (1885–1958), married the actress Jose Collins .[ 6]
His maternal grandfather was Ogden Goelet (1851–1897), an American real-estate millionaire.[ 7] At the time of his parents' marriage, his mother was the wealthiest American heiress, with a dowry of twenty million dollars, exceeded only by Consuelo Vanderbilt .[ 8] [ 9] He also was a grandnephew of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III , née Grace Wilson.[ 10]
Personal life
The Duke attended Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire, England.
On 24 October 1935, he was married to Lady Mary Evelyn Hungerford Crewe-Milnes (1915–2014), daughter of Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe , by his marriage to Lady Margaret Etrenne Hannah Primrose, daughter of Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery , and Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery . The marriage ended in divorce in 1953, after the Duke controversially attempted to evict Lady Mary from the ancestral home at Floors Castle .[ 11] When her widowed mother died in 1967, the Duchess inherited West Horsley Place where she died in 2014 at the age of 99.[ 11]
On 5 January 1954, he married for the second time at Caxton Hall to Margaret Elizabeth McConnel (1918–1993), daughter of Capt. Frederick Bradshaw McConnel and great-granddaughter of British industrialist William McConnel .[ 12] Together, they had:
The 9th Duke of Roxburghe died on 26 September 1974.[ 10]
Ancestry
Ancestors of George Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe
References
^ Times, Wireless to the New York (27 April 1937). "DOWAGER DUCHESS OF ROXBURGHE DIES; New York Heiress Was a Close Friend of King George V and Queen Mary" . The New York Times . Retrieved 12 January 2017 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ "Illustrated Guide to Places to Visit - Floors Castle" . Retrieved 27 March 2016 .
^ 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.)
^ "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) ([1] full article)
^ "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 .
^ "Marriage Announcement" . The New York Times . 3 September 1903.
^ "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 .
^ a b Times, Special to the New York (27 September 1974). "George Innes-Ker, Ninth Duke of Roxburghe, Dies in Scotland" . The New York Times . Retrieved 12 January 2017 .
^ a b "Obituary: Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe" . The Telegraph .
^ Times, Special to the New York (6 January 1954). "DUKE OF ROXBURGHE MARRIES IN LONDON" . The New York Times . Retrieved 12 January 2017 .
^ Times, Special to the New York (19 November 1954). "Son to Duchess of Roxburghe" . The New York Times . Retrieved 12 January 2017 .