John Lambton, 5th Earl of Durham

John Frederick Lambton, 5th Earl of Durham (7 October 1884 – 4 February 1970), briefly styled Viscount Lambton between 1928 and 1929, was a British peer. Through his sister Lilian, he was an uncle of future Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home. Lord Durham is best remembered for the donation of Penshaw Monument to the National Trust.

Biography

Durham was born on 7 October 1884, the son of Frederick Lambton, 4th Earl of Durham and his wife Beatrix Bulteel.

Durham was educated at Eton College. He fought in the First World War as a Captain in the 3rd/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was wounded. He succeeded to the earldom and subsidiary titles on the death of his father on 31 January 1929.

Durham died on 4 February 1970, aged 85.

Marriages & Children

Durham was married firstly on 12 November 1919 to Diana Mary Farquhar (born 19 July 1901, died 28 August 1924). They had two sons:

• John Roderick Geoffrey Francis Edward Lambton, Viscount Lambton (born 6 September 1920, died 4 February 1941), committed suicide by shooting himself.
• Antony Claud Frederick Lambton, 6th Earl of Durham (born 10 July 1922, died 30 December 2006)

After the death of his first wife, Durham was married secondly on 4 March 1931 to Hermione Bullough, daughter of Sir George Bullough, 1st Baronet. They had one son:

• Hon John George Lambton (born 10 June 1932, died 21 August 2012)

• The Peerage, entry for 5th Earl of Durham