Earl of Albemarle

A carte-de-visite portrait of the Earl of Albemarle (1799-1891).

George Thomas Keppel, 6th Earl of Albemarle was the son of William Charles Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle and Hon. Elizabeth Southwell. He was born on 13 June 1799 at Marylebone, London. He married Susan Trotter, daughter of Sir Coutts Trotter, on 4 August 1831 at Willesden, London. He died on 21 February 1891 at age 91 at 8 Portman Square, London. He was buried at Quidenham, Norfolk.

He was educated at Westminster School, London. He fought at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He gained the rank of officer in April 1815 in the service of the 14th Foot. Between 1834 and 1835 he held the office of M.P. for East Norfolk. He held the office of Equerry to HRH the Duke of Sussex. He held the office of Sheriff of County Leitrim in 1838. He held the office of Groom in Waiting between 1838 and 1841. He held the office of Private Secretary to Lord John Russell (when Premier) between 1846 and 1847. Between 1847 and 1850 he held the office of M.P. for Lymington. He was invested as a Fellow of the Geological Society (F.G.S.) and as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (F.S.A.). He succeeded to the title of 6th Earl of Albemarle [created 1697] on 15 March 1851. He gained the rank of Major-General in 1858, the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1866, and the rank of General in 1874.

In February 1857 Gentleman's Magazine recorded that ‘his voice is loud, confident and somewhat overbearing.’

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London in 1860.