William Plunket, 5th Baron Plunket

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William Lee Plunket, 5th Baron Plunket, GCMG, KCVO, KBE (December 19, 1864January 24, 1920) was a British diplomat and administrator. Born in Dublin, he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College Dublin before entering the Diplomatic Service, being sent to Rome in 1889 as an attaché to the British Embassy there. In 1892, he was appointed in the same position to the embassy in Constantinople, and finally retired two years later. In 1894, he also married Lady Victoria Alexandrina, youngest daughter of the 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, by whom he was to have eight children.

Having succeeded his father as fifth Baron Plunket in 1897, Plunket three years later became private secretary to Lord Cadogan, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, and fulfilled the same role for his successor, Lord Dudley. He was appointed CVO and KCVO in 1900 and 1903 respectively, and in 1904 he became Governor of New Zealand as well as a KCMG the following year. He held this post until 1910, when he was advanced to GCMG. He was later appointed KBE in 1918.

Lord Plunket died aged 55 in London, and was buried in the city's Putney Vale Cemetery.

Preceded by:
Earl of Ranfurly
Governor of New Zealand
1904–1910
Succeeded by:
Lord Islington
Preceded by:
William Conyngham Plunket
Baron Plunket Succeeded by:
Terence Conyngham Plunket