 The title Baron Furness, of Grantley in the West Riding of the County of York, had been bestowed on his father, Christopher Furness, a businessman and Liberal politician.The titles became extinct in 1995 on the death of the first Viscount's only surviving son, William, the second Viscount.Thelma Furness, Viscountess Furness, second wife of the first Viscount, was an American-born socialite.