List of keepers and rangers of Richmond Park explained

This article is a list of the keepers and rangers of Richmond Park, initially of the "New Park" formed in 1625 by Charles I.

Keepers

• 1637–1649 Jerome Weston, 2nd Earl of Portland

Rangers

• 1660–1673 Sir Lionel Tollemache and his wife Elizabeth, Countess of Dysart (Elizabeth alone in her own right after Lionel's death in 1669)
• 1673–1682 John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale, Elizabeth's second husband
• 1683–1711 Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester
• 1711–1727 Henry Hyde, 2nd Earl of Rochester, the 1st Earl's son
• 1727–1751 Robert Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford, son of Sir Robert Walpole, British Prime Minister
• 1751–1761 Princess Amelia, daughter of George II
• 1761–1792 John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, tutor and prime minister to George III
• 1792–1814 George III
• 1814–1835 Princess Elizabeth, George III's daughter
• 1835–1850 Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, George III's son
• 1850–1857 Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, George III's daughter
• 1857–1904 George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, Adolphus's son

Deputy Rangers

Sidney Meadows was promoted to this office in 1761 when John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, who was about to become Prime Minister of Great Britain, was Ranger.^[1] At some point Sidney's brother Philip Meadows took over; Philip is recorded as holding the office in 1772 and until his death in 1781.

• 1772?^[2] –1781 Philip Meadows^{[3] [4]}
• 1781–1800 Leonard Smelt
• 1813–? Lord Sidmouth

Since 1904 the park has been managed by central government and is currently the responsibility of The Royal Parks.

See also

• Park ranger

Sources

• Rabbitts, Paul A (2014). Richmond Park: From Medieval Pasture to Royal Park. Amberley Publishing., pp. 22–24

Notes and References

1. Web site: Smolette. T G. London Magazine – Promotions. James Rivington & James Fletcher . 1761 . 335. 11 April 2015. Promotions: Lord Bute Ranger Richmond Park, Sidney Meadows Deputy Ranger Richmond Park.
2. Book: Watson . S. . Gentleman's and Citizen's Almanack - For The Year Of Our Lord 1772 . 1773 . 62 . 12 June 2023 . Richmond New Park - Jn [John] Earl of Bute - Deputy, Philip Meadows.
3. Book: An Authentic Detail of Particulars Relative to the Late Duchess of Kingston . 1788 . G. Kearsley . 144 . 9 June 2023 . Philip Meadows, Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park.
4. Book: Rabbitts . P. . Richmond Park: From Medieval Pasture to Royal Park . 2014 . Amberley Publishing . 9781445618753 . 9 June 2023. Philip Meadows...held that position until his death in 1781 [His brother Sidney is recorded as having been "promoted" to the position in 1761 - see other references here].