The Asquiths were originally a middle-class family from the

West Riding of Yorkshire The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county County of York, West Riding (the area under the control of West Riding County Council), abbreviated County ...

, England. They were members of the Congregational church, whose family name derived from the village of Askwith. The first prominent member of the family was

H. H. Asquith Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, (12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928), generally known as H. H. Asquith, was a British statesman and Liberal Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom f ...

, who was

prime minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

from 1908 to 1916. In 1925, Asquith was raised to the peerage as

Earl of Oxford and Asquith Earl of Oxford and Asquith is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1925 for the Liberal politician H. H. Asquith. He was Home Secretary from 1892 to 1895, Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1905 to 1908, Leader of ...

. His great-grandson

Raymond Raymond is a male given name. It was borrowed into English from French (older French spellings were Reimund and Raimund, whereas the modern English and French spellings are identical). It originated as the Germanic ᚱᚨᚷᛁᚾᛗᚢᚾᛞ ( ...

is the present Earl. All of H. H. Asquith's seven children achieved some prominence in national affairs. By his first wife Helen Kelsall Melland (d. 1891), he had four sons and one daughter. All of the sons volunteered for the Front early in the war. The eldest son,

, a barrister and poet, was killed in action in 1916. The second son,

Herbert Herbert may refer to: People Individuals * Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert Name * Herbert (given name) * Herbert (surname) Places Antarctica * Herbert Mountains, Coats Land * Herbert Sound, Graham Land Australia * Herbert ...

, was a poet who married Lady Cynthia Charteris, a writer and anthologist. The third son,

Arthur Arthur is a common male given name of Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. Another theory, more wi ...

, became a Brigadier. The fourth son,

Cyril Cyril (also Cyrillus or Cyryl) is a masculine given name. It is derived from the Greek name Κύριλλος (''Kýrillos''), meaning 'lordly, masterful', which in turn derives from Greek κυριος ('' kýrios'') 'lord'. There are various varia ...

(1890–1954), became a

Law Lord Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, commonly known as Law Lords, were judges appointed under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 to the British House of Lords, as a committee of the House, effectively to exercise the judicial functions of the House o ...

. The daughter, Violet (1887–1969), became a Liberal politician and a Life Peeress in her own right in 1964. By his second wife, the former Margot Tennant, Asquith had two more children. His daughter

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

(1897–1945) was a writer who married a Romanian prince, becoming Princess

Antoine Bibesco Prince Antoine Bibesco ( ro, Prințul Anton Bibescu; July 19, 1878 – September 2, 1951) was a Romanian aristocrat, lawyer, diplomat, and writer. Biography His father was Prince Alexandre Bibesco, the last surviving son of the ''hospodar'' ...

. His youngest son

Anthony Anthony or Antony is a masculine given name, derived from the '' Antonii'', a ''gens'' ( Roman family name) to which Mark Antony (''Marcus Antonius'') belonged. According to Plutarch, the Antonii gens were Heracleidae, being descendants of Anton, ...

(1902–1968) became a well-known film director.

Prominent members

''Living descendants are omitted unless they are notable and/or have a separate Wikipedia entry.'' *

(12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928), married firstly (1877) Helen Kelsall Melland (1856–1891), issue 4 sons and 1 daughter **

Raymond Asquith Raymond Herbert Asquith (6 November 1878 – 15 September 1916) was an English barrister and eldest son of British prime minister H. H. Asquith. A distinguished Oxford scholar, he was a member of the fashionable group of intellectuals known as ...

(6 November 1878 – 15 September 1916; killed in action), barrister and poet; married 1907 Katharine Horner (1885–1976); 1 son and 2 daughters. *** Helen Asquith OBE (1908–2000), teacher and school inspector, was appointed OBE in 1965, and awarded the papal medal

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice ''Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice'' ("For Church and Pope" in Latin) is a decoration of the Holy See. It is currently conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy. History The medal was established by Leo XIII o ...

in 1989 for charitable work. She did not marry. *** Perdita Asquith (1910–1996) who married

William Jolliffe, 4th Baron Hylton William George Hervey Jolliffe, 4th Baron Hylton (2 December 1898 – 14 November 1967), was a British peer and soldier. Hylton was the son of Hylton Jolliffe, 3rd Baron Hylton, and Lady Alice Adeliza Hervey. He achieved the rank of Lieut ...

(d. 1967) and had issue two sons (including the present incumbent) and one daughter **** Raymond Jolliffe, 5th Baron Hylton (b. 13 June 1932), married 1966 Joanna de Bertodano, issue 4 sons and 1 daughter ****John Jolliffe ****Mary Jolliffe (d. 2009), married John Paget Chancellor (b. 1927), issue 1 son and 3 daughters *****Katherine Chancellor, or Kate Chancellor (b. 1961) formerly married 1989-97 to novelist

Will Self William Woodard Self (born 26 September 1961) is an English author, journalist, political commentator and broadcaster. He has written 11 novels, five collections of shorter fiction, three novellas and nine collections of non-fiction writing. Sel ...

, issue 1 son and 1 daughter. ***** John Edward Horner Chancellor (b. 1962), financial historian and former investment strategist *****

Anna Chancellor Anna Theodora Chancellor (born 27 April 1965) is a British actress who has received nominations for BAFTA and Olivier Awards. Background and early life Chancellor was born in Richmond, England to barrister John Paget Chancellor, eldest son of ...

(b. 27 April 1965), actress, issue 1 daughter ***

Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith Julian Edward George Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith, (22 April 1916 – 16 January 2011) was a British colonial administrator and hereditary peer. Background and education Asquith was the only son of Katharine (née Horner) and Raymon ...

(22 April 1916 – 16 January 2011) married Anne Palairet (14 November 1916 – 19 August 1998); issue 2 sons and 3 daughters. ****

Raymond Asquith, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith Raymond Benedict Bartholomew Michael Asquith, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith, (born 24 August 1952), is a British former diplomat and hereditary peer. Styled Viscount Asquith until he succeeded to his father's peerage titles on 16 January 2 ...

(b. 24 August 1952), British diplomat and businessman; married Mary Clare Pollen (b. 2 June 1951); issue 1 son and 4 daughters **** Sir Dominic Asquith, British diplomat (b. 7 February 1957), Ambassador to Iraq 2006–7, Ambassador to Egypt 2007–11 and Ambassador to Libya 2011–12.; married to Louise Cotton (b. 1962), and has issue 2 sons and 2 daughters (Helena and Gabriela Asquith). ****''Lady Katherine Page''; married firstly (divorced) Sir

Adam Ridley Sir Adam Nicholas Ridley (born 14 May 1942) is a British economist, civil servant, and banker. After working at the Foreign Office and the Department of Economic Affairs, he was Director of the Conservative Research Department. With Chris Patt ...

(himself grandson of

Violet Bonham Carter, Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury Helen Violet Bonham Carter, Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury, (15 April 1887 – 19 February 1969), known until her marriage as Violet Asquith, was a British politician and diarist. She was the daughter of H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister from 1908 ...

); married secondly J. C. Page. ** Herbert Asquith (11 March 1881 – 5 August 1947), poet and lawyer; married to Lady Cynthia Charteris (27 September 1887 – 31 March 1960), writer, a daughter of the Hugo Charteris, 11th Earl of Wemyss and 7th Earl of March; issue 3 sons ***John Michael Asquith (9 May 1911 – May 1937) ***Michael Henry Asquith (25 July 1914 – 19 January 2004); twice married and had issue 2 sons and 1 daughter. ***Simon Roland Anthony Asquith (20 August 1919 – 18 December 1973); m. 1 October 1942 Vivien Lawrence Jones; they had issue 2 sons and 1 daughter. **Brigadier-General Arthur Asquith (24 April 1883 – 25 August 1939); married to Betty Manners, a daughter of John Manners-Sutton, 3rd

Baron Manners Baron Manners, of Foston in the County of Lincoln, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1807 for the lawyer and politician Sir Thomas Manners-Sutton. He served as Solicitor-General from 1802 to 1805 and as Lord C ...

, and had issue. ** (Lady) Violet Asquith, later Bonham Carter (15 April 1887 – 19 February 1969), who became Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury in 1964; married 1916 Sir Maurice Bonham Carter (11 October 1880 – 7 June 1960), her father's private secretary, and had issue 2 sons and 2 daughters ***Helen Cressida Bonham Carter (22 April 1917 – 17 June 1997), married 1939 Jasper Ridley (1913–1943); issue one son ****Sir

(b. 14 May 1942) *** Laura Bonham Carter (13 October 1918 - 15 February 1994), married

Jo Grimond, Baron Grimond of Firth Joseph Grimond, Baron Grimond, (; 29 July 1913 – 24 October 1993), known as Jo Grimond, was a British politician, leader of the Liberal Party for eleven years from 1956 to 1967 and again briefly on an interim basis in 1976. Grimond was a lo ...

(19 July 1913 – 24 October 1993); issue 3 sons and 1 daughter. ****(Joseph) Andrew Grimond (26 March 1939 – 23 March 1966) deputy editor, ''The Scotsman'' at his death. ****Grizelda Jane Grimond (b. 1942), who lived for many years with

Tony Richardson Cecil Antonio "Tony" Richardson (5 June 1928 – 14 November 1991) was an English theatre and film director and producer whose career spanned five decades. In 1964, he won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film ''Tom Jones''. Early ...

(d. 1991), with issue. ****John Jasper Grimond, or "Johnny" Grimond (b. 1946) former Foreign Editor, ''The Economist'', married Roberta Katherine "Kate" Fleming (b. 1946), co-heir of Ian Fleming, her paternal uncle, since 1996/7. Has issue. ***

Mark Bonham Carter, Baron Bonham-Carter Mark Raymond Bonham Carter, Baron Bonham-Carter (11 February 1922 – 4 September 1994) was an English publisher and politician. He was created a life peer in 1986. Early life He was the son of the Liberal activists Sir Maurice Bonham-Car ...

(11 February 1922 – 4 September 1994), himself a life peer; married 1955 Leslie Nast; issue 3 daughters ****

Jane Bonham Carter, Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury Jane Bonham Carter, Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (born 20 October 1957) is a British Liberal Democrat politician, and member of the House of Lords. Background Family Bonham Carter hails from the Bonham Carter family. Her great-grandfathe ...

(b. 20 October 1957), married Tim Razzall, Baron Razzall (b. 12 June 1943) ***

Raymond Bonham Carter Raymond Henry Bonham Carter (19 June 1929 – 17 January 2004) was a British banker and a member of the prominent Bonham Carter family. Early life He was born in Paddington, London, to Sir Maurice Bonham-Carter (1880–1960), a politician and ...

(1929–2004), married Elena Proper de Callejón; had issue 2 sons and 1 daughter. ****

Edward Bonham Carter Edward Henry Bonham-Carter (born 24 May 1960) is the vice chairman of a British fund management group, Jupiter Fund Management plc. Early life Edward Henry Bonham-Carter was born and raised in Golders Green, London. He is the elder son of Ra ...

(b. 24 May 1960), banker; married Victoria Studd with issue 2 sons and 1 daughter. ****

Helena Bonham Carter Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966) is an English actress. Known for her roles in blockbusters and independent films, particularly period dramas, she has received various awards and nominations, including a British Academy Film Award a ...

(b. 1966), actress; partnered with

Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as '' Beetlejuice'' (1988), '' Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), '' The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993 ...

, has issue 1 son and 1 daughter. **

Cyril Asquith, Baron Asquith of Bishopstone Cyril Asquith, Baron Asquith of Bishopstone, PC (5 February 1890 – 24 August 1954) was an English barrister and judge who served as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary from 1951 until his death three years later. The youngest child of British pr ...

(5 February 1890 – 24 August 1954); married 1918 Anne Stephanie Pollock (27 April 1896–1964), of the Pollock Baronets; they had issue 2 sons and 2 daughters. ***Luke Asquith (b. 1919), whose daughter Anne (b. 1965) is married since 1989 to Roderick Cavendish (b. 1959), son and heir of Frederick Caryll Philip Cavendish, 7th

Baron Waterpark Baron Waterpark of Waterpark in the County of Cork, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1792 for Sarah, Lady Cavendish, in honour of her husband, Sir Henry Cavendish, 2nd Baronet. Sir Henry Cavendish was a politician who repr ...

and has issue two sons. ***Paul Asquith (4 January 1927–1984)''Ibid.'' married 1953 (div 1963) as her first husband Helena Mary Bridgeman (b. 1932) and has issue two children. He married 1963 Caroline Anne Carew Pole and had further issue, two children. All four children are married with issue. ***(Frances) Rose Asquith (b. 1925) married Sir John Frederick Eustace Stephenson, Lord Justice of Appeal (d. 1998), son of Sir Guy Stephenson, and had issue.Frances Rose Asquith
Retrieved 28 February 2008. *

(12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928), married secondly 1894

Margot Tennant Emma Margaret Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith (' Tennant; 2 February 1864 – 28 July 1945), known as Margot Asquith, was a British socialite, author. She was married to H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 189 ...

(2 February 1864 – 28 July 1945), surviving issue 1 son and 1 daughter. ** Lady Elizabeth Asquith (26 February 1897 – 7 April 1945) married Prince Antoine Bibesco (19 July 1878 – 2 September 1951); issue 1 daughter. **

Anthony Asquith Anthony William Landon Asquith (; 9 November 1902 – 20 February 1968) was an English film director. He collaborated successfully with playwright Terence Rattigan on ''The Winslow Boy'' (1948) and '' The Browning Version'' (1951), among oth ...

(9 November 1902 – 20 February 1968), filmmaker.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asquith Family English families Political families of the United Kingdom British families

Prominent members

See also

References