**Baron Mount Temple**
**Definition:**
Baron Mount Temple is a hereditary title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created twice in British history. The title is associated with the Temple family and has been held by notable figures in British politics and society.
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## Baron Mount Temple
Baron Mount Temple is a noble title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, notable for its association with the Temple family, a lineage with significant political and social influence in British history. The title was created twice, first in the 19th century and later in the early 20th century, reflecting the prominence of its holders in public life. The barony is linked to estates and family seats in England and has been connected to various members of the British aristocracy and political establishment.
### Origins and Creation of the Title
The title of Baron Mount Temple was first created in 1880 in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was bestowed upon William Cowper-Temple, a prominent Liberal politician and reformer. Born William Cowper in 1811, he was the second son of Peter Clavering-Cowper, 5th Earl Cowper. William Cowper adopted the additional surname Temple after inheriting the estates of his uncle, the 3rd Viscount Palmerston, a distinguished British Prime Minister.
William Cowper-Temple was a Member of Parliament and served in various governmental roles, including as Under-Secretary of State for India and Paymaster General. His political career was marked by advocacy for social reform and education. The creation of the barony recognized his contributions to public service and his status within the British aristocracy.
### The First Creation (1880)
– **Title:** Baron Mount Temple, of Mount Temple in the County of Sligo
– **Created:** 1880
– **First Holder:** William Cowper-Temple (1811–1888)
William Cowper-Temple was elevated to the peerage as Baron Mount Temple in 1880. The title referenced Mount Temple, an estate in County Sligo, Ireland, which was part of the family’s holdings. Despite his political prominence, William Cowper-Temple had no children, and upon his death in 1888, the barony became extinct.
### The Second Creation (1932)
The title of Baron Mount Temple was recreated in 1932 for Wilfrid Ashley, a Conservative politician and grandson of the first Baron Mount Temple’s sister. Wilfrid Ashley was a significant figure in British politics during the early 20th century, serving as Minister of Transport and Minister for the Colonies. His elevation to the peerage as Baron Mount Temple recognized his public service and family heritage.
– **Title:** Baron Mount Temple, of Lee in the County of Southampton
– **Created:** 1932
– **First Holder of Second Creation:** Wilfrid William Ashley (1867–1939)
Wilfrid Ashley was the son of Evelyn Ashley, who was the second son of the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. The Ashley family had longstanding ties to British aristocracy and politics. Wilfrid Ashley’s barony was distinct from the first creation, with a different territorial designation, reflecting his family seat at Lee in Hampshire.
### Family and Succession
Wilfrid Ashley married Amalia Mary Maud Cassel, daughter of the wealthy financier Sir Ernest Cassel. They had two daughters, Edwina and Mary. Since the barony was created with a standard remainder to male heirs, and Wilfrid Ashley had no sons, the title became extinct upon his death in 1939.
#### Edwina Mountbatten, Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Wilfrid Ashley’s elder daughter, Edwina Ashley, became a prominent social figure and married Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Edwina was known for her humanitarian work and her role during World War II. Although she did not inherit the barony, her marriage linked the Mount Temple title to the Mountbatten family, a branch of the British royal family.
#### Mary Ashley
Mary Ashley, the younger daughter, married the 3rd Baron Delamere, a British peer with estates in Kenya. Her marriage further connected the Ashley family to the British aristocracy and colonial interests.
### Estates and Family Seats
The title of Baron Mount Temple is associated with several estates, reflecting the family’s wealth and status. The first creation referenced Mount Temple in County Sligo, Ireland, while the second creation was linked to Lee in Hampshire, England.
– **Mount Temple Estate:** Located in County Sligo, Ireland, this estate was part of the Cowper-Temple family holdings and gave the title its name in the first creation.
– **Lee Estate:** The Ashley family seat in Hampshire, England, was the territorial designation for the second creation of the barony.
These estates were significant centers of social and political activity for the families involved and symbolized their aristocratic status.
### Political and Social Influence
Both creations of the Baron Mount Temple title were held by individuals deeply involved in British politics and society. William Cowper-Temple was a Liberal reformer, while Wilfrid Ashley was a Conservative politician. Their careers reflected the evolving political landscape of Britain during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The title’s holders were involved in key governmental roles, including colonial administration and domestic policy. Their influence extended beyond politics into social reform, philanthropy, and the arts.
### Extinction of the Title
Both creations of the Baron Mount Temple title became extinct due to the lack of male heirs. The first creation ended with William Cowper-Temple’s death in 1888, and the second creation ceased upon Wilfrid Ashley’s death in 1939. Despite the extinction of the title, the legacy of the Mount Temple name continued through family connections and the prominence of descendants such as Edwina Mountbatten.
### Legacy
The Baron Mount Temple title is remembered for its association with notable figures in British political history and aristocracy. The families connected to the title played significant roles in shaping British policy and society during their respective eras. The Mount Temple name remains linked to the history of the British peerage and the broader narrative of the United Kingdom’s political and social development.
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## Summary
Baron Mount Temple is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom created twice, first in 1880 for William Cowper-Temple and again in 1932 for Wilfrid Ashley. Both holders were influential politicians, and the title is associated with estates in Ireland and England. The barony became extinct on both occasions due to the absence of male heirs, but the family’s legacy continues through notable descendants and historical contributions.
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**Meta Description:**
Baron Mount Temple is a hereditary title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created twice for prominent political figures in the 19th and 20th centuries. The title is linked to the Temple and Ashley families and has historical significance in British aristocracy.