His Early Life
Charles Howard-Bury grew up in Charleville Castle, bordering
the town of Tullamore in County Offaly. He would retain a connection to his
family home and estate, where he received his early education and which he would later inherit.
the town of Tullamore in County Offaly. He would retain a connection to his
family home and estate, where he received his early education and which he would later inherit.
Charles Howard-Bury was born in London on 15 August 1883, although his parent's normal place of residence was Charleville Castle, County Offaly, to where the family soon returned. He was the eldest of two children of Captain Kenneth Howard and Lady Emily Bury, an heiress and the youngest daughter of Charles William Bury, third Earl of Sharpeville.
Kenneth Howard became ill during 1884 and his condition deteriorated thereafter. He died the following year, aged 39. On his death, James Fitzmaurice - Lord Lansdowne - was made guardian to the infant Charles Howard-Bury. Not only was Fitzmaurice a cousin of Charles but he was also Viceroy of India, a connection that would steer the course of the young Howard-Bury's life. Along with his younger sister, Marjorie (born in 1885), Charles was educated in Charleville Castle by a German governess. The two children would often visit Lansdowne's Dereen House in Kenmare or travel to Belvedere House near Mullingar, owned by their cousin, Charles Brinsley Marlay. Howard-Bury was later sent to Eton College to further his education. From there, he progressed to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Some of Howard-Bury's earliest experiences of international travel happened during this period, as he would often spend holidays in Italy's Dolomite Mountains, where his mother had a chalet. He graduated from Sandhurst with the rank of captain in 1904, after which he was stationed in India. It was at this point that his explorations truly began. |
Charles Howard-Bury (Alpine Club Photo Library, London)
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My Darling Boy,
I am afraid there is no chance of my being permitted to live long enough for you even to remember me. And this I need not tell you is a very great grief to me. As I had been so looking forward to having you as my companion in my walks. And telling you all about the birds and plants, flowers and fishes, like my father did when I was a little boy. And I want you to grow up a manly boy, fond of all these things, as well as of your books. I am writing this as you see by the date, years before you will get it. For I want you to read it first before you go to school. I so well remember my father's first letter to me at school. And his words have imprinted themselves on my memory. Always speak the truth, and remember, that a lie is dishonourable and unworthy of the name you bear.
A letter by Kenneth Howard-Bury to his son, Charles Howard-Bury, June 1884.
Charleville Castle, County Offaly. Construction began in 1801 and was completed in 1812 for Charles William Bury, who became the first Earl of Charleville in 1806.
The castle's gardens were created by John Claudius Loudon, the most accomplished garden designer of his time. (National Library of Ireland)
The castle's gardens were created by John Claudius Loudon, the most accomplished garden designer of his time. (National Library of Ireland)
Charles Howard-Bury is most commonly associated with Belvedere House, which he inherited in 1912 (National Library of Ireland)