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Lord Berners


Right Honourable Sir Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt - Wilson
Born September 18th 1883, in Apley Hall, Bridgenorth, Shropshire
Died April 19th 1950,Faringdon House, Berkshire
14th Baron Berners, succeeded his uncle to the barony, originally created in 1455, in 1918.
Extract from The peerage
Lord Berners quote:

'There is a good deal to be said for frivolity. Frivolous people, when all is said and done, do less harm in the world than some of our philanthropisers and reformers. Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness.'
Auto Epitaph:

Here lies Lord Berners
One of the learners
His great love of learning
May earn him a burning
But praise to the lord
He seldom was bored

After a conventional education, Gerald was sent to Europe to prepare for entry to the diplomatic service.
From 1899 to 1919 he travelled extensively and eventually became honorary attached to the British Embassy in Constantinople.
An artistic person, his main claim to fame was as a composer, though he also wrote and painted.

In 1918 his life changed on succeeding to the title. He eventually settled at Faringdon House around 1930 when his mother died. From then on his eccentricity developed. He entertained lavishly - personalities from all walks of life - including the Mitfords, Duff Coopers, Evelyn Waugh, Cecil Beaton and any number of composers, painters and choreographers.
He dyed his flocks of doves many different colours.

On the front door of Faringdon House was the legend 'Mangling done here'.
Faringdon House
Song by Lord Berners
Red Roses and Red Noses:
Some people praise red roses:
But I beg leave to say
That I prefer red noses-
I think they are so gay.

A Kempis says we must not cling
To things that pass away:
Red Noses last a lifetime
Red roses but a day

Red Roses blow but thrice a year-
In June, July or May:
But owners of Red Noses
Can blow them every day
Reference:
Lord Berners, The Last Eccentric   Mark Amory   Pub: Chatto & Windus
First Childhood   Gerald Berners   Pub: Constable 1934
Pink pigeons & blue mayonnaise   Joseph Epstein   New Criterion Online
Curiousities, Grotesqueries, Follies, & Strange Customs       Petticoat Monthly
14th Lord Berners and his family   Chris France    
Life of Lord Berners.     Telegraph 1998
Faringdon House       Telegraph 2001

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