General George Thomas Keppel, 6th Earl of Albemarle DL, FGS, FSA (13 June 1799 – 21 February 1891),[1] styled The Honourable from birth until 1851, was a British soldier, Liberal politician and writer.
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Born in Marylebone, he was the third and eldest surviving son of William Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle and his first wife Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Edward Southwell, 20th Baron de Clifford.[2] In 1851, he succeeded his older brother Augustus as earl.[2] His lifelong friend was Sir Robert Adair.[3] Keppel spent his childhood at his father's residence Elden Hall and was educated at Westminster School.[3] In 1815, he entered the British Army as an ensign.[4]
Keppel fought with the 14th Regiment of Foot in the Battle of Waterloo.[5] He was transferred as lieutenant to the 20th Regiment of Foot in 1820 and as captain to the 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment of Foot in 1825.[4] Already two years later, he became major and lieutenant-colonel in 1841.[4] Keppel was promoted to colonel in 1854 and to major-general in 1858.[4] He was made lieutenant-general in 1866 and finally general in 1874.[5]
Keppel represented East Norfolk in the British House of Commons from 1832 until three years later.[6] He stood unsuccessfully for King's Lynn in 1837 and for Lymington in 1841,[2] however sat for the latter eventually from 1847 to 1849, when he succeeded his father to the Earldom.[7]
From 1820, Keppel was Equerry to Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex.[3] In 1838, he was appointed High Sheriff of Leitrim.[8] He served as Groom-in-Waiting between the latter year and 1841 and was Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Lord John Russell between 1846 and the next year.[5] He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk from 1859[4] and was Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS) as well as the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA).[4]
On 4 August 1831, he married Susan Trotter, daughter of Sir Coutts Trotter, 1st Baronet in Willesden.[9] They had four daughters and one son.[10] Keppel died, aged 91 in Portman Square in London and was buried in Quidenham.[10] He was succeeded in his titles by his only son William.[1]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for East Norfolk 1832–1835 With: William Howe Windham |
Succeeded by Lord Walpole Edmond Wodehouse |
| Preceded by William Alexander Mackinnon John Stewart |
Member of Parliament for Lymington 1847–1850 With: William Alexander Mackinnon |
Succeeded by William Alexander Mackinnon Edward John Hutchins |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Augustus Keppel |
Earl of Albemarle 1851–1891 |
Succeeded by William Keppel |
| Baron Ashford (descended by acceleration) 1851–1876 |
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