| Authorised form of name | Percy; Algernon (1792 - 1865); 4th Duke of Northumberland |
| Dates | 1792 - 1865 |
| Nationality | British |
| Place of birth | Syon House, London, England |
| Date of birth | 15 December 1792 |
| Place of death | Alnwick, Northumberland |
| Date of death | 12 or 15 February 1865 |
| DatesAndPlaces | Burial:
The Percy chapel, Westminster Abbey, London |
| Activity | Education:
None formal, as time of war.
Career:
Joined navy (3 May 1805) age 12, served as midshipman in various frigates in the Mediterranean; made lieutenatn in 1811, commander 1814, acting captain of 'Caledonia' in 1815 when war ended. Never saw active service thereafter, but on reserve list promoted to rear admiral (1850), vice admiral (1857) and admiral (1862). Elevated to peerage as Baron Prudhoe (1816) because of father's wealth and position as one of the 'regent's set'. Took seat in the Lords but seldom spoke until after secceeded to the Dukedom in 1847. Travelled in Africa in 1820s and 1830s, and in 1834 both helped finance, and accompanied, Sir John Herschel's expedition to Capetown to observe the sourthern constellation and in 1847 met the costs of publication of Herschel's Cape observtions of double stars and nebulae. Also friend and patron of Edward William Lane, supporting his travels and suggesting his researches in Egypt of his Arabic lexicon, published in 1863 and dedicated to him by Lane. The importance of his contributions as patron of science and learning weas recognised by his being elected to the Royal society, the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Geographical Society.
Honours:
Baron Prudhoe 1816; KG 1853 |
| Membership category | Fellow |
| Date of election | 09/04/1818 |
| RSActivity | Royal Society roles:
VP 1847-1848 |
| Relationships | Second son of Hugh Percy, second Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817) and his second wife Frances Julia (1752-1820) third daughter of Peter Burrell of Kent. Married (25 August 1842) Lady Eleanor Grosvenor, eldest daughter of Richard Grosvenor, second marquess of Westminster. |
| Source | Sources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB
Notes:
DNB gives death date as 12 February 1865 |
| Code | NA1013 |
Archives associated with this Fellow
| RefNo | Title | Date |
| MC/29/192 | Letter from [Percy Algernon] Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, to Mr [Robert] Harrison, [Royal Society] | 29 January 1914 |
| MC/29/193 | Letter from [Percy Algernon] Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, to Sir Alfred, [Royal Society] | 6 February 1914 |
| HS/13/360 | Letter, from Algernon Percy (4th Duke of Northumberland) to Sir John Herschel, dated at Syon | 9 June 1850 |
| HS/13/363 | Letter, from Algernon Percy (4th Duke of Northumberland) to Alexander Herschel, dated at Alnwick Castle | 29 December 1863 |
| HS/13/362 | Letter, from Algernon Percy (4th Duke of Northumberland) to Sir John Herschel, dated at Whitehall Gardens | 15 June 1850 |
| HS/13/359 | Letter, from Algernon Percy (4th Duke of Northumberland) to Sir John Herschel, dated at Whitehall Gardens | 18 May 1849 |
| HS/13/358 | Letter, from Algernon Percy (4th Duke of Northumberland) to Sir John Herschel, dated at Whitehall Gardens | 10 February 1848 |