List of keepers and rangers of Richmond Park

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

• 1761–? Sidney Meadows

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. ISBN 9781445618562, pp. 22–24

References

1. Smolette, T G (1761). "London Magazine – Promotions". James Rivington & James Fletcher. p. 335. Retrieved 11 April 2015. Promotions: Lord Bute Ranger Richmond Park, Sidney Meadows Deputy Ranger Richmond Park
2. Watson, S. (1773). Gentleman's and Citizen's Almanack - For The Year Of Our Lord 1772. p. 62. Retrieved 12 June 2023. Richmond New Park - Jn [John] Earl of Bute - Deputy, Philip Meadows
3. An Authentic Detail of Particulars Relative to the Late Duchess of Kingston. G. Kearsley. 1788. p. 144. Retrieved 9 June 2023. Philip Meadows, Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park
4. Rabbitts, P. (2014). Richmond Park: From Medieval Pasture to Royal Park. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445618753. Retrieved 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]