Baron Digby

Baron Digby, of Geashill in the King's County, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1620 for Robert Digby, Governor of King's County. He was the nephew of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol. Lord Digby's grandson, the third Baron, and the latter's younger brothers the fourth and fifth Barons, all represented Warwick in Parliament. The fifth Baron's grandson, the sixth Baron, sat as a Member of Parliament for Malmesbury and for Wells. His younger brother, the seventh Baron, represented Ludgershall and Wells in the House of Commons. In 1765 he was created Baron Digby, of Sherborne in the County of Dorset, in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the issue male of his father. In 1790 Lord Digby was further honoured when he was made Viscount Coleshill and Earl Digby in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the issue male of his body. His son, the second Earl, was Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1808 to 1856. He never married and on his death in 1856 the viscountcy and earldom became extinct.

However, he was succeeded in the two baronies by his first cousin twice removed, the ninth Baron. He was the son of Admiral Sir Henry Digby, son of the Very Reverend the Honourable William Digby, younger brother of the sixth Baron and the first Earl Digby. His son, the tenth Baron, sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was succeeded by his son, the eleventh Baron. He was Chairman of the Dorset County Council from 1955 to 1964 and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1952 to 1964. As of 2010 the titles are held by his son, the twelfth Baron, who succeeded in 1964. He notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1984 to 1999.

Two female members of the family have also gained fame. Jane Digby was the sister of the ninth Baron Digby while Hon. Pamela Harriman (née Digby), American Ambassador to France, was the eldest daughter of the eleventh Baron and the sister of the twelfth Baron.