Augustus Duncombe Explained

Augustus Duncombe (2 November 1814  - 26 January 1880) was Dean of York from 1858^[1] until his death.^[2]

Biography

Duncombe was born the seventh child and fifth son of Charles Duncombe, 1st Baron Feversham, and educated at Worcester College, Oxford.^[3] He was Rector of Kirby Misperton, then Prebendary of Bole, before his appointment as Dean. During his tenure, the approach to York Minster from the south-west was widened by the construction (via the demolition of Minster Close) of a spacious approach.^[4] It was named Duncombe Place in his honour.^[5]

Marriage and children

Duncombe married, on 13 May 1841, Lady Harriet Christian Douglas,^[6] the second child of Charles Douglas, 6th Marquess of Queensberry, and founder, in 1870, of York's St Stephen's Orphanage.^[7] Lady Harriet died in London on 26 July 1902, at the age of 93.^[8] They had three daughters and two sons:

• Major Alfred Charles Duncombe, JP (1843–1925), who was High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1883; married Lady Anne Florence Adelaide Montagu (d.1940), daughter of the 7th Earl of Sandwich; and died without issue.
• Major Adolphus Montagu Duncombe, JP (1852–1904), Yorkshire Hussars; married Beatrice Dorothy Mary Bridgeman-Simpson (d.1936), daughter of Rev. William Bridgman-Simpson by Lady Frances Laura Wentworth Fitzwilliam (who was a daughter of the 5th Earl FitzWilliam); and died without issue.

Notes and References

1. News: Installation Of The (New) Dean Of York . . London, England . 9 June 1858 . 5 . 23015.
2. News: Death of the Dean of York . The York Herald . York, England . 27 January 1880 . 5 . 7161. 19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II
3. News: University and Clergical Intelligence . The Standard . London, England . 6 May 1836 . 2805. 19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II.
4. http://www.yorkstories.co.uk/york_walks-3/duncombe_place.htm York Stories
5. News: Deans Of York . . London, England . 26 January 1926 . 17 . 44179.
6. http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp100479/lady-harriet-christian-duncombe-nee-douglas NPG details
7. Web site: St Stephen's Orphanage 1870-1969 . 2023-05-01 . York Civic Trust . en-GB.
8. Obituary. 28 July 1902 . 5 . 36831.