1900 Two Handwritten and Signed Letters Connected to William Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey

On offer are two letters connected to William Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey (1824-1905).

The first is a two-page letter dated Stoneleigh Abbey Jan 28, 1900, handwritten and signed by Leigh to Murray Browne requesting admission for “a Lady to the House of Lords next Tuesday to hear the debate on the Queen’s speech when the war in S. Africa is to be discussed….”. 

The second letter is written to Leigh, handwritten and signed by general and colonel commandant royal artillery, Michael Anthony Biddulph (1823-1904). In this letter, dated January 27, 1900,  Biddulph declines Lord Leith’s request for a pass to the House of Commons.

The first letter measures 7 x 8-3/4 flat, folded to 7 x 4-3/8 inches. It has three pages of writing. The second letter is a single page measuring 7 x 4-3/8 inches.  Both VG+ condition. 

BIO NOTES: William Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey. He succeeded to the title of 2nd Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh, co. Warwick [U.K., 1839] on 27 September 1850. An advocate of British imperialism and opponent of women's suffrage. He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire between 1856 and 1905. He held the office of High Steward of Sutton Coldfield between 1859 and 1892.1 He held the office of High Steward of Sutton Coldfield between 1859 and 1892.1 He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Gloucestershire.1 He gained the rank of Colonel in the service of the 3rd Battalion, Warwicks Regiment. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Law (LL.D.) by Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England.1 He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1895.1 In 1895 he unsuccessfully stood for North Warwickshire as a Free Trader in the General Election. quoted from The Peerage online.