Edward Adolphus St Maur,12th Duke of Somerset,KG,PC (20 December 1804–28 November 1885),styled Lord Seymour until 1855,was a British Whig aristocrat and politician,who served in various cabinet positions in the mid-19th century,including that of First Lord of the Admiralty.
Somerset succeeded his father in the dukedom in 1855 and entered the House of Lords. He did not serve in Lord Palmerston's first administration,but when Palmerston became Prime Minister for the second time in 1859,Somerset was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty,with a seat in the cabinet.[3] He held this post until 1866,the last year under the premiership of Russell. He refused to join William Ewart Gladstone's first ministry in 1868,but gave independent support to the chief measures of the government.[3]
He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1862[9] and in 1863 he was created Earl St. Maur,of Berry Pomeroy in the County of Devon.[10] "St. Maur" was supposed to have been the original form of the family name and "Seymour" a later corruption. From some time in the early 19th century until 1923,"St. Maur" was used as the family name,but since 1923 the dukes have again used the familiar "Seymour".
Somerset was also the author of Christian Theology and Modern Scepticism (1872),and Monarchy and Democracy (1880).[3] Between 1861 and 1885 he served as Lord Lieutenant of Devon.[11]
Lady Ulrica Frederica Jane Seymour (12 January 1833–26 or 28 January 1916) she married the Rt Hon.Lord Henry Frederick Thynne on 1 June 1858. They had six children.
Lord Edward Percy Seymour (19 August 1841–20 December 1865) was a diplomat and died after being mauled by a bear.[12]
Lady Helen Guendolen Seymour (14 November 1846–14 August 1910) she married Sir John William Ramsden,5th Baronet on 2 August 1865. They had four children. Lady Guendolen Ramsden inherited the Bulstrodeestate.
Her Grace died on 14 December 1884. The Duke of Somerset survived her by less than a year and died on 28 November 1885,aged 80,and was buried with her in St James's Churchyard at Gerrards Cross,Buckinghamshire. As his two sons both died in his lifetime,the family titles (except the Earldom of St. Maur,which became extinct) devolved on his younger brother,Archibald Seymour,13th Duke of Somerset.[13]
The 12th Duke left his London residence,Somerset House in Park Lane,to his eldest daughter Lady Hermione Graham.[14]
Ancestry
Ancestors of Edward St Maur, 12th Duke of Somerset
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