stricken with his last illness in the spring of 1881; but returning post-haste across Europe, he was present at the death-bed of his old chief. Beaconsfield bequeathed to Rowton all his correspondence and other papers. In 1897 he was made KCVO and in 1900 he was sworn of the Privy Council. Lord Rowton is also well-remembered as a philanthropist as the originator of the Rowton Houses, six large hostels for working men which were much better than existing lodging houses. He was inspired by projects of that kind founded by Lord Iveagh in Dublin and at the time of his death was chairman of both the Rowton Houses Company and the Guinness Trust. In 1890 he served as treasurer of the Salop Infirmary in Shrewsbury. Personal life Lord Rowton never married. He is alleged to have had an affair with Violet, Marchioness of Granby, and also alleged to be the father of Lady Violet Manners, legally the second daughter of her mother's husband, the 8th Duke of Rutland. Lady Violet, known as Letty, married firstly Hugo Charteris, Lord Elcho (killed in action 1916), and was mother of two sons, the 12th Earl of Wemyss and Lord Charteris of Amisfield. Lord Rowton died at his London home in Berkeley Square in November 1903, aged 65. He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, and is also commemorated by a plaque at St Michael's Parish Church, Alberbury, in whose parish Rowton Castle lies. References External links 1838 births 1903 deaths Barons in the Peerage of the United Kingdom Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Companions of the Order of the Bath Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom People educated at Harrow School Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Montagu Peers of the United Kingdom created by Queen Victoria