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William, 1st Earl of Lonsdale of the second creation, and Lowther Castle

On the death of Wicked Jimmy in 1802, the earldom became extinct, but the Viscounty and estates were inherited by his distant cousin William. William became 2nd Viscount Lowther, was recreated Earl of Lonsdale (of the second creation) in 1807 and was the founder of the modern family. He built Lowther Castle and established the pattern which lasted for nearly a century, of Tory allegiance in politics, landed pre-eminence in the North West, and rich coal magnates. He was a patron of painters and writers, including Wordsworth. He reigned at Lowther for over 40 years, dying in 1844, and was succeeded by his eldest son, also William.

William, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale, was a sharp businessman. He promoted railways, further increasing the family fortune, developed agricultural land drainage and founded the local newspaper, the Westmorland Gazette, still published today. He was active in politics, serving as 1st Lord of the Admiralty, and caricatured by Disraeli in his novel Coningsby as Lord Eskdale. He owned a Derby winner, Spaniel, collected art and sculpture, and was keen on opera. The 2nd Earl never married but had several illegitimate children, their mothers all opera singers. On his death in 1872 he was succeeded by his nephew Henry as 3rd Earl of Lonsdale. Henry was by then 54 and died only four years later. His eldest son, St George Henry, succeeded as 4th Earl. A yachtsman and scientist who made hydrological studies of the gulf stream he suffered ill health and died young in 1882. He was succeeded by his younger brother Hugh.

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