Identity:

Lord Ronald Charles Sutherland-Leveson-Gower was a sculptor, politician, author and art critic. He was the youngest son of the second Duke of Sutherland.

Life:

Gower was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.

He later entered politics and served as M.P. for Sutherland from 1867 to 1874. In the 1870s he was based at the Picture Gallery, Stafford House, St James, and at St James's Palace from 1881 to 1909. He was a member of the Arts Club from 1873 to 1880, and was a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery.

Gower was friendly with JW [#13132]. Like JW, he was at the Naval Review on 23 July 1887, celebrating Queen Victoria's Jubilee, on board the ship H.M.S. Banshee. JW made a set of etchings and drawings through the day [Return to Tilbury (K.327), Sketchbook (M.1144)].

Bibliography:

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage, London, 1896; Gower, Lord Ronald Sutherland, Old Diaries 1881-1901, London, 1902, p. 292.