Ponsonby, Henry Frederick, Sir, 1825-1895

Secretary to Queen Victoria.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (9) : to E. Dossé, courier to Queen Victoria, 1890 Feb. 13 to 1893 Dec. 31. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617922

Private secretary to Queen Victoria and privy councillor.

From the description of Autograph letters signed : Windsor Castle ; Balmoral ; and Osborne, to Arthur Sullivan, 1880 Oct. 29 to 1883 Jan. 31. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270125355

English general and court official.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Windsor Castle, to Mr. Pearson, 1882 Mar. 13. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617918

From the description of Autograph letters signed (2) and in third person (2) : to Prof. Knight, 1880-1882. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617915

Sir Henry Frederick Ponsonby was born on 10 December 1825 in Corfu, the eldest son of Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby. In December 1842, he entered the army as an ensign in the 49th regiment, later transferring to the grenadier guards. Promoted lieutenant in 1844, captain in 1848 and major in 1849, he served during the Crimean War, advancing to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1855. After the war, he was appointed equerry to the Prince Consort, serving until 1862 when he was sent to Canada in command of a battalion of the Grenadier Guards. Promoted major general in 1868, he was appointed Private Secretary to Queen Victoria in 1870. In 1878, he was appointed Keeper of the Privy Purse and the following year was knighted. Retiring in May 1895, he died on 21 November 1895 at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

From the guide to the Henry Ponsonby collection, 1876, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)

English general; private secretary to the Queen.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (3) : Windsor, Buckingham Palace, and Osborne, to "My dear Dillon", 1881-1883. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617910