Baron Beresford

Baron Beresford was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom that was created twice. In both instances it was created for eminent soldiers, and in both cases it became extinct at the death of the original holder.

• The first creation was in 1814 for General William Carr Beresford, GCB, GCH, GCTE (1768–1856). In 1823 he was further created Viscount Beresford in the United Kingdom. In the Kingdom of Portugal, he was also Count of Trancoso (created 1811) and Marquis of Campo Maior (created 1812).

Beresford (1846–1919) painted by Charles Wellington Furse

• The second creation, as Baron Beresford of Metemmeh, and of Curraghmore in the County of Waterford, was announced on 28 January 1916 for Admiral Lord Charles William Beresford, GCB, GCVO (1846–1919). As the second son of the 4th Marquess of Waterford he was styled "Lord Charles William Beresford" between 1859 and 1916. He combined the two careers of the Royal Navy and a Member of Parliament, serving for many years in both capacities. He was MP for County Waterford from 1874–1880, for Marylebone East from 1885–1889, for Member of Parliament for City of York from 1898–1900, for Woolwich from 1902–1903 and for Portsmouth from Jan. 1910–1916. In the navy, he held the posts of Junior Naval Lord from 1886–1888, Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet from 1903–1905,Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet from 1905–1907 and Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet from 1907–1909. His later career was marked by a longstanding dispute with Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher, over reforms championed by Fisher introducing new technology and sweeping away traditional practices. Beresford retired from the navy in 1911 with the rank of Admiral and remained a Member of the House of Commons until 1916. In 1878 he married Mina Gardner, daughter of Richard Gardner and Lucy Mandesloh. They had two daughters. Lord Beresford died in 1919 at the age of 73, when his title became extinct.