Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford

The son of Sir Henry Holland, 1st Baronet, a prominent physician, Knutsford was educated at Harrow School, Durham University, and Trinity College, Cambridge, and took his degree in 1847.[1] He studied law, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1849. He practiced law privately until 1867, when he became legal advisor to the Colonial Office.

Knutsford by Arthur Stockdale Cope (1906).

In 1870 Knutsford became assistant colonial undersecretary, serving until 1874, and in 1873, having succeeded his father as 2nd Baronet, he was elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative. In Lord Salisbury's first administration (1885–1886), Knutsford served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury and then as Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education. He served in this role again at the beginning of Salisbury's second ministry (1886–1887), but was soon promoted to Colonial Secretary (in January 1887).

As Colonial Secretary, Knutsford was largely concerned with South African affairs, being the Colonial Secretary who granted the charter for Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company in 1887. In 1888 he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester. In 1895, Knutsford was not included in Salisbury's new government. He was further honoured the same year when he was made Viscount Knutsford, of Knutsford in the County Palatine of Chester.

Lord Knutsford was a Director of the Ambulance department of the Order of the Hospital of Saint John in England, and Chairman of the St John Ambulance Association. The association mobilized detachments serving in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899–1902), with Lord Knutsford raising support for the work. In July 1902 he received an Award for conspicuous service to the order.[2]

Holland married Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel Hibbert, in 1852. They had twin sons and one daughter:

• Hon. Edith Emily Holland (1853–1923)
• Sydney Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford (1855–1931)
• Arthur Holland-Hibbert, 3rd Viscount Knutsford (1855–1935)

Elizabeth died in April 1855, only a few weeks after the birth of her twin sons. On 25 November 1858, Holland married Margaret Jean Trevelyan (1835–1906), by whom he had a daughter and three sons:

• Henry Macaulay Holland (16 September 1859 – 6 April 1878)
• Hon. Margaret Alice Holland (5 September 1861 – 1937), married Reginald Abel Smith
• Capt. Hon. Cecil Trevelyan Holland (26 October 1862 – 1941)
• Hon. Lionel Raleigh Holland (1865–1936)

Lady Knutsford was also involved with the St John Ambulance Association, and in July 1902 received an Award for conspicuous service for her work as Chairman of the Special Committee formed to despatch medical comforts to the Brigade units during the Second Boer War.[2]

Lord Knutsford remained a widower until his death in January 1914, aged 88. His funeral was held at Golders Green Crematorium. He was succeeded in his titles by his elder twin son, Sydney.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford.

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Viscount Knutsford
• Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford at Find a Grave