Charles Noel, 2nd Earl of Gainsborough

Gainsborough was the only child of Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough, by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Grey, 1st Baronet. His mother died two weeks after he was born. He was the half-brother of Gerard Noel. He was educated privately and at Trinity College, Cambridge.[1]

Gainsborough succeeded his uncle William Noel as Member of Parliament for Rutland in 1840, but only held the seat until the following year. He then served a year as High Sheriff of Rutland for 1848. In 1866 he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords. The following year he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, which he remained until his death. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Prince Albert's Own Leicestershire Yeomanry from 1879–81, recorded as captain on 12 August 1850.

He and his wife embraced Roman Catholicism on New Year's Day in 1850.[2]

Lord Gainsborough married Ida Harriet Augusta, daughter of William Hay, 18th Earl of Erroll and Elizabeth FitzClarence, illegitimate daughter of King William IV, in 1841. The family home was at Flitteriss Park.

They had five children:

• Lady Blanche (c.1845–1881), who married Thomas Murphy
  • The "Lady Blanche House" is commemorated by New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 109 in Bartlett, New Hampshire[3]
• Lady Constance (1847–1891), who married Sir Henry Bellingham, 4th Baronet
• Charles, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough (20 October 1850 – 17 April 1926), had issue
• Edward (1852–1917), who married Ruth Lucas
• Lady Edith (died 1890), who became a nun

Lady Gainsborough died in October 1867. Lord Gainsborough remained a widower until his death in August 1881, aged 62. He was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest son, Charles.

His grandson, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Noel, was a British spy active in the Caucasus and Caspian area during the Russian Revolution.

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Earl of Gainsborough