Kenelm William Edward Edgcumbe,

6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

(1873—1965)

In the early part of the 20th century, Kenelm William Edward, 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, was internationally known for his contributions in electrical engineering. Following World War II, when Britain—like so many other nations—was reeling from devastating destruction, the value of art and history during re-building became a cherished idea, and people like the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe became a vital part of that effort.

Kenelm was due to inherit the title and properties from the his second cousin Piers 5th Earl (1865–1944); however, the two decided to pass the inheritance to Kenelm’s son, Piers Richard as a manner in which to cope with the heavily confiscatory nature of the British death duty levied at the time. However, the death of

Image used per license from the National Portrait Gallery

Piers Richard, a lieutenant who served with the 12th Royal Lancers and was killed in 1940 during action at Esquelbecqat, France, while protecting retreating troops near Dunkirik, precluded the inheritance from happening and resulted in Kenelm becoming 6th Earl. In lieu of death duties, Kenelm 6th Earl bequeathed the grand property of Cotehele to the National Trust in 1947 where it is preserved today. Subsequently, Kenelm 6th Earl also labored to restore Mount Edgcumbe House in Cornwall, which had been gutted by bombs during World War II.

Kenelm 6th Earl also impacted the preservation of Sir Francis Drake’s home, Buckland Abbey. Due to a fire in 1938, the abbey was in much disrepair and required restoration. In 1947, the Buckland Abbey Committee held its first meeting on November 7 with Kenelm 6th Earl at its helm. Under his leadership as Chair, the Committee produced plans and surveys while preliminary work was begun on the restoration of Drake’s home. This interest in Drake eventually led Kenelm 6th Earl to the review the Guild’s work regarding Drake’s 1579 California encampment, association with the DNG, and his inclusion as an Honorary Member.