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Lot Essay
Richard William Penn Curzon was born on 11 December 1796 at Gopsall, Leicestershire, only son of Sophia-Charlotte, Baroness Howe and the Hon. Penn-Assheton Curzon, who was the eldest son of Assheton, 1st Viscount Curzon. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, Richard succeeded his paternal grandfather as Viscount and Baron Curzon of Penn on 21 March 1820, taking up his seat on 26 April of that year.
Two days prior to his succession, on 19 March 1820, at 36 Portman Square, Marylebone, he married Harriet Georgiana (1799-1836), daughter of Robert, 6th Earl of Cardigan. By Royal license, on 7 July 1821, he took the name of Howe after that of Curzon as his mother's heir, she having inherited the barony at her father the Admiral's decease. A few days later, on 15 July, he was created Earl Howe.
Royal appointments quickly followed. He was made a Lord of the Bedchamber 1829-30, then Lord Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide as Queen Consort 1830-31 and again in 1834-37, and later held the same position to the Queen when she became Queen Dowager. His favor at Court was held by some to be based upon an over-familiar intimacy with the Queen, and rumors of scandal dogged his attendance upon her. When she was falsely being reported to be with child, Lord Alvanley is said to have suggested the singing of the psalm, 'Oh Lord how wonderful are Thy works.' Howe succeeded his mother as Baron Howe of Langar on 3 December 1835. He married secondly, on 9 October 1845, Anne (1817-1877), daughter of Admiral Sir John Gore, K.C.B. and granddaughter of Admiral Sir George Montagu G.C.B. She had been Maid of Honour to Adelaide, Queen Consort. He died at Curzon House, Mayfair, Middlesex, on 12 May 1870.
The family house, Gopsall Hall, a Jacobean estate, was in the 19th century frequently visited by George Frederick Handel, who composed The Messiah under a temple in its grounds. The house was demolished in 1747 and entirely reconstructed, but having changed hands several times it fell into decay, and all that now remains is one of the ruined temples.
Two days prior to his succession, on 19 March 1820, at 36 Portman Square, Marylebone, he married Harriet Georgiana (1799-1836), daughter of Robert, 6th Earl of Cardigan. By Royal license, on 7 July 1821, he took the name of Howe after that of Curzon as his mother's heir, she having inherited the barony at her father the Admiral's decease. A few days later, on 15 July, he was created Earl Howe.
Royal appointments quickly followed. He was made a Lord of the Bedchamber 1829-30, then Lord Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide as Queen Consort 1830-31 and again in 1834-37, and later held the same position to the Queen when she became Queen Dowager. His favor at Court was held by some to be based upon an over-familiar intimacy with the Queen, and rumors of scandal dogged his attendance upon her. When she was falsely being reported to be with child, Lord Alvanley is said to have suggested the singing of the psalm, 'Oh Lord how wonderful are Thy works.' Howe succeeded his mother as Baron Howe of Langar on 3 December 1835. He married secondly, on 9 October 1845, Anne (1817-1877), daughter of Admiral Sir John Gore, K.C.B. and granddaughter of Admiral Sir George Montagu G.C.B. She had been Maid of Honour to Adelaide, Queen Consort. He died at Curzon House, Mayfair, Middlesex, on 12 May 1870.
The family house, Gopsall Hall, a Jacobean estate, was in the 19th century frequently visited by George Frederick Handel, who composed The Messiah under a temple in its grounds. The house was demolished in 1747 and entirely reconstructed, but having changed hands several times it fell into decay, and all that now remains is one of the ruined temples.