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Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Glyn, George Grenfell

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691468Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 22 — Glyn, George Grenfell1890Lloyd Charles Sanders

GLYN, GEORGE GRENFELL, second Baron Wolverton (1824–1887), eldest son of George Carr Glyn, banker (1797-1873), created baron Wolverton 14 Dec. 1869, was born on 10 Feb. 1824. Sir Richard Carr Glyn [q.v.] was his grandfather. He was educated at Rugby and University College, Oxford, where he matriculated 26 May 1842. On coming of age he became a partner in the metropolitan banking firm of Glyn, Mills, Currie, & Co., and continued in the business until his death. He was some time chairman of the Railway Clearing House, and a lieutenant of the city of London. Glyn sat as M.P. for Shaftesbury in the liberal interest from 1857 to 1873, when he succeeded his father in the peerage. He was joint secretary to the treasury from 1868 to 1873, during which period he officiated as a most energetic whip. He was then sworn of the privy council. In the liberal ministry of 1880 to 1885 he was paymaster-general, and his zealous adherence to Mr. Gladstone after the promulgation of his scheme of home rule for Ireland was rewarded by the appointment of postmaster-general (February to July 1886). A personal friend of Mr. Gladstone, Wolverton during the remainder of his life gave valuable support, both oratorical and pecuniary, to the home rule cause. On 2 Oct. 1887 he presided at a great 'anti-coercion' demonstration at Templecombe, Dorsetshire, when he was presented with an address from eight parliamentary districts. He died suddenly at Brighton on 6 Nov. 1887. His personal estate amounted to more than 1,820,O00l.

Wolverton was a model landlord and a staunch supporter of fox-hunting in Dorsetshire. At Iwerne Minster in that county, where was one of his country seats, he and Lady Wolverton supported two orphanages in connection with the Home Boy Brigade originated by her. He gave his salary as postmaster-general to secure beds in a convalescent home for sick London postmen. He married, 22 June 1848, Georgiana Maria, daughter of the Rev. George Frederick Tuffnell of Uffington, Berkshire; had no issue, and was succeeded as third baron by his nephew, Henry Richard, eldest son of Vice-admiral Hon. Henry Carr Glyn, C.B., C.S.I, (d. 1884). The third baron died on 2 July 1888, and his brother Frederick succeeded him.

[Debrett's Peerage for 1887; Times and Daily News. 7 Nov. 1887; Foster's Peerage; Foster's Alumni Oxon.]