Charles William Hylton Molyneux, 5th Earl of Sefton
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Charles William Hylton Molyneux, 5th Earl of Sefton
by Alexander Bassano
collodion negative, 1893-1894
6 3/8in. x 4 3/4in. (163 mm x 119 mm)
Given by Bassano & Vandyk Studios, 1974
Photographs Collection
NPG x6249
Sitterback to top
- Charles William Hylton Molyneux, 5th Earl of Sefton (1867-1901), Soldier and landowner. Sitter in 5 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Alexander Bassano (1829-1913), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 2805 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Events of 1893back to top
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Stephen Guy
12 August 2016, 15:08
Dear NPG,
We were delighted to discover the five portraits of the tragic Charles 5th Earl of Sefton in your archives.
As can be seen from two of the portraits, Charles was a keen gentleman jockey, which was sadly his downfall.
The Molyneux family - oldest in Liverpool - never really recovered. Charles' nephew Cecil was killed at Jutland aged 16, niece Lady Evelyn passed away at 14.
The third nephew Hugh, 7th Earl, was the last of his line. When he died in 1972 he did not have any close blood relatives.
He left his stately home, Croxteth Hall, to the people of Liverpool.
See my article from the Liverpool Link published earlier this year.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Guy
STEEPLECHASE TRAGEDY
by Stephen Guy, West Derby Society
Riders and horses rode furiously over the jumps cheered on by spectators excited by the prospect of backing a winner.
Like today, Liverpool’s Spring Meeting attracted punters from far and wide including royals and aristocrats.
It was 1897 and this race featured a keen rider from one the oldest local families – Lord Sefton’s heir, Charles Viscount Molyneux.
Crowds gathered on open land at Altcar, near Formby, where some of the races were held although Aintree was the main racecourse.
There were enthusiastic shouts as the horses galloped off in the race called the Four-year-olds’ Steeplechase.
Viscount Molyneux was rising Scotch Bride owned by Mr E G Fenwick and all seemed to be going well. Suddenly the filly fell sending her rider crashing down on his head.
Mr J C Cheney chased and caught Scotch Bride. He jumped into the saddle and went on to win the race to tumultuous applause.
But it was a victory marred by sorrow. Officials and spectators rushing to Viscount Molyneux’s aid discovered him lifeless after suffering a severe blow to the head.
A bad case of concussion turned out to be much more serious. Charles was mentally and physically disabled by the accident and never recovered.
Dashingly handsome Charles (pictured, based on a rare contemporary portrait) was just 29 and secretly engaged to the beautiful Lady Mary Willoughby, daughter of the Earl of Ancaster.
His father, Crimean War veteran William, died just weeks after his son’s accident and Charles became the 5th Earl of Sefton.
Charles didn’t know what was happening. He was confined to his rooms and such was the severity of his illness that he was declared insane.
He was cared for at Croxteth Hall by his devoted sister and a team of specialist nurses.
The new Earl’s incapacity led to financial disarray and a court case brought by his family in 1898.
This was because Charles, a former aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was unable to administer his estates, leading to massive debts.
The court heard that Charles might die at any time but the possibility of a recovery was not ruled out.
Charles lingered on until 1901. He was buried quietly in the churchyard at St Chad’s, Kirkby, alongside other members of his family.
* Join the West Derby Society at its next meeting 7.30 pm on Wednesday
20 January at Lowlands, 13 Haymans Green, Liverpool L12 7JG.