William Frederick Waldegrave, 9th Earl Waldegrave, VD, PC (2 March 1851 – 12 August 1930), styled Viscount Chewton between 1854 and 1859, was a British Conservative politician. He served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, government chief whip in the House of Lords, between 1896 and 1905.

Background and education

Waldegrave was the eldest son of William Waldegrave, Viscount Chewton, eldest son of Vice-Admiral William Waldegrave, 8th Earl Waldegrave. His mother was Frances, daughter of Captain John Bastard. He gained the courtesy title Viscount Chewton in 1854 on the early death of his father. In 1859, aged eight, he succeeded his grandfather in the earldom.[http://thepeerage.com/p1096.htm#i10955 thepeerage.com William Frederick Waldegrave, 9th Earl of Waldegrave] He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.{{acad|id=WLDV869WF|name=Waldegrave, William Frederick, Earl}}

Military career

Waldegrave was commissioned into the 3rd Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1869. He was promoted lieutenant in 1870 and resigned his commission as a captain in 1872. He was commissioned an ensign in the 1st London Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1873 and was promoted lieutenant and captain in 1874 and major in 1886. He retired as a lieutenant-colonel.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

Political career

Lord Waldegrave sat on the Conservative in the House of Lords. He was a Lord-in-waiting under Lord Salisbury from 1886{{London Gazette |issue=25615 |date=10 August 1886 |page=3853 }} to 1892{{London Gazette|issue=26327|date=20 September 1892|page=5329}} and again from 1895{{London Gazette|issue=26644|date=16 July 1895|page=4023}} to 1896.{{London Gazette|issue=26777|date=15 September 1896|page=5140}}

After the death of Lord Limerick in August 1896, he was promoted to Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard and Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords.{{London Gazette|issue=26773|date=1 September 1896|page=4931}} He continued in these posts until 1905, the last three years under the premiership of Arthur Balfour.{{London Gazette|issue=27877|date=23 January 1906|page=541}} He remained as Conservative Chief Whip in the House of Lords until 1911.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

In 1897 he was sworn of the Privy Council.{{London Gazette|issue=26828|date=2 March 1897|page=1238}} Waldegrave was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Somerset on 25 January 1911.{{London Gazette|issue=28461|page=778|date=31 January 1911}}

Family

Lord Waldegrave married his first cousin, Lady Mary Dorothea Palmer, daughter of Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne, on 5 August 1874. He died in August 1930, aged 79, and was succeeded by his eldest son, William. The Countess Waldegrave died in November 1933.