The Yellow Earl - Part One
‘Almost and Emperor, but not quite a Gentleman’
An Appreciation of Hugh Lowther, the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, also known as The Yellow Earl
by Robert Jarman.
I first became interested in Lord Lonsdale when
I commissioned Douglas Sutherland, to write a
series of light hearted, humorous books about
The English Gentleman in 1978, when I was
a part-owner, and the Managing Director of
Debrett’s Peerage & Baronetage.
I was introduced to Douglas Sutherland in 1977
by the publisher Leo Cooper, and his journalist
wife, Gilly, who has since become a best-selling
Author.
They used to stay at a mini-castle in Perthshire,
called ‘Rohalion’, which Sutherland rented, and
which was perhaps better-known as ‘Hangover
hall’ by all who stayed there!
Anyway, I discovered that Douglas Sutherland
had written several excellent books about spies
and fraudsters, as well as fascinating study of
land ownership in the UK, and how so much was
owned by so few, and of course, The Yellow Earl
about the life and times of Henry Lowther, 5th
Earl of Lonsdale
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This fascinating biography was a compelling
portrait of this ‘larger than life’ character who,
amongst his various eccentricities, gave his
name to a particular type of cigar, which is still
universally known the a ‘Lonsdale’ cigar, thereby
joining the elite company of Englishmen Peers
who have given their names to specific cigars;
the others being Sir Winston Churchill, and Lord
Rothschild.
Having written an article for my online
publication, The Vintage Magazine, I was
approached by Nic Wing, the publisher of UK
Cigar Scene, who knew of a cache of Lonsdale
Cigars, and so I agreed that he could use all my
information about The Yellow Earl, for a special
feature on this subject, and I hope you enjoy
reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Robert Jarman, Founder and Editor of The
Vintage Magazine