{{Short description|British politician (1906–1988)}} {{Use British English|date=March 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = Group Captain | name = Loel Guinness | honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|OBE}} | image = | caption = | office = Member of Parliament for Bath | term_start = 1931 | term_end = 1945 | predecessor = Hon. Charles Baillie-Hamilton | successor = Sir James Pitman | office1 = | term_start1 = | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = | successor1 = | birth_date = {{birth date|1906|6|9|df=y}} | birth_place = {{nowrap|Manhattan, New York, U.S.<ref>''New York, New York, Extracted Birth Index, 1878–1909''</ref><ref>''1910 United States Federal Census''</ref>}} | death_date = {{death date and age|1988|12|31|1906|6|9|df=y}} | death_place = Houston, Texas, U.S. | resting_place = Cimetière du Bois de Vaux, Lausanne | occupation = | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Hon. Joan Yarde-Buller|1927|1936|reason=div}} * {{marriage|Lady Isabel Manners|1936|1951|reason=div}} * {{marriage|Gloria Rubio|1951|1980|end=d.}} }} | children = 3, including Lindy, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava | parents = Benjamin Seymour Guinness<br>Bridget Williams-Bulkeley | allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}} | branch = British Army<br />Royal Auxiliary Air Force | service_years = | rank = Group Captain | servicenumber = | unit = | commands = No. 601 (County of London) Squadron | battles = Second World War | mawards = Officer of the Order of the British Empire<br />Mentioned in Despatches (5) }} Group Captain '''Thomas Loel Evelyn Bulkeley Guinness''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|OBE}} (9 June 1906 – 31 December 1988)<ref name="burke">{{cite book |title= Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood|publisher=Burke's Peerage & Gentry |editor= Mosley, Charles |editor-link=Charles Mosley (genealogist) |edition=107 |year= 2003 |pages=1695–1696 |ref=Burke |isbn=0-9711966-2-1}}</ref> was a British politician, Royal Air Force officer, business magnate and philanthropist. He was Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Bath (1931–1945) and achieved fame as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain during World War II. Guinness also financed the purchase of the ''Calypso'', leasing her for one symbolic franc a year<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shirlaw|first=David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s07cDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|title=Barges to Battleships: Puget Sound Military Shipbuilding: Volume I Minesweepers|date=2020-04-10|publisher=SeaWaves Press Inc|isbn=978-1-894147-34-7|language=en}}</ref> to famous oceanic explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.<ref name="LGObit1989"/>
==Early life== thumb|left|Loel Guinness and his sisters as children [[File:20110815-tombeau-guinness1 rcr8.jpg|thumb|Grave of Bridget Guinness in Mougins, Provence]] Born in Manhattan and raised in the United States and England, Loel Guinness was the only son of Benjamin Seymour Guinness (1868–1947) a wealthy New York-based financier (later also a Prince in the Italian nobility) from whom he inherited a fortune.<ref name="1931Election" /> His mother, Bridget Henrietta Frances (née Williams-Bulkeley; 1871-1933), was the sister of Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley, 12th Baronet, of an old Anglesey landed family. He had two sisters: Meraud Michelle Wemyss Guinness<ref name="1929WEdding">{{cite news|title=Meraud Guinness Weds Alvara Guevara – 'We Are Going to Live for Art,' Says Bride, as Artists Are Married in London|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F03E7DB173EE33ABC4C51DFB7668382639EDE&legacy=true|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=24 January 1929|page=21}}</ref> and Tanis Eva Guinness.<ref name="burke" />
He was educated at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and thereafter gained the rank of lieutenant in the service of the Irish Guards.<ref name="burke" />
==Career== After taking flying lessons, Guinness joined the Royal Aero Club in 1928.<ref>''Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910–1950''</ref> The following year, he became one of the first private citizens in England to own an airplane and soon he was a member of the County of London's Auxiliary Air Force squadron. He later served as president of Air Work Ltd., an aircraft-parts supplier, and of British United Airways.<ref name="LGObit1989"/>
In 1931, on his third try, Guinness was elected to Parliament for Bath<ref name="1931Election">{{cite news|title=Loel Guinness Wins British Seat.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/10/30/archives/loel-guinness-wins-british-seat.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=30 October 1931|page=9}}</ref> and was named parliamentary private secretary to Sir Philip Sassoon, the Under Secretary for Air from 1931 to 1935. He held his seat until 1945, when he stood down.<ref name="LGObit1989"/>
==Second World War== Guinness gained the rank of group captain in the service of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Guinness went on active duty with the Royal Air Force. In 1940 he flew as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain, famously buying a petrol station near his aerodrome when his driving was restricted by rationing. In 1944 he became commander of a wing of the Second Tactical Air Force and by the war's end he had been Mentioned in Despatches five times. He was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1942. The Netherlands made him a Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau and France made him an Officer of the Legion of Honour and awarded him a Croix de Guerre.<ref name="LGObit1989"/>
==Personal life== Guinness's first marriage was to The Hon. Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller (1908–1997), eldest daughter of the 3rd Baron Churston.<ref name="1927Engagement">{{cite news|title=Joan Yarde-Buller to Wed Loel Guinness – Lord Churston's Daughter, 19, Is Engaged to Only Son of Benjamin S. Guinness of New York|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/02/28/archives/joan-yardebuller-to-wed-loel-guinness-lord-churstons-daughter-19-is.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=28 February 1927|page=14}}</ref><ref name="1927Wedding">{{cite news|title=Royalty Attends Guinness Wedding – Son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Guinness Marries the Hon. Joan Yarde-Buller – In St. Margaret's, London – Carnegie Officiates – Bride Is Daughter of Baron Churston – Couple to Live in Pittsburgh|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F0DE0DB163CE733A25756C0A9619C946695D6CF&legacy=true|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 July 1927|page=17}}</ref> Before their divorce, they had a son, Patrick Benjamin Guinness,<ref name="1931Birth">{{cite news|title=Son to Mrs. Loel Guinness – Her Marriage In London in 1927 Was Brilliant Social Event|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/03/11/archives/son-to-mrs-loel-guinness-her-marriage-in-london-in-1927-was.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=11 March 1931|page=20}}</ref> who was killed in an automobile accident near Rarogne, Switzerland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Patrick Guinness Killed in Car Crash |work=The Times |date=6 October 1965 |page= 12 }}</ref>
Joan left him for Prince Aly Khan, the eldest son of the Aga Khan III, the 43rd Shia Imam, and Guinness successfully sued Joan and Khan on grounds of adultery. Joan and Khan did not defend the charges and the judge, Mr Justice Bucknill, granted Guinness a ''decree nisi'' and full custody of their son and ordered Khan to pay court costs.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Decree Nisi'' for Mr. Loel Guinness – Guinness v. Guinness and Khan – Before Mr. Justice Bucknill|work=The Times |date=5 November 1935 |page=5 }}</ref> Joan married Khan on 18 May 1936, a few days after the divorce became absolute.<ref name="1935Div">{{cite news|title=London Divorce Suit Names Indian Prince – Aly Khan Is Corespondent {{sic|hide=y|reason=spelling error in source title}} in Action by T.L. Guinness, M.P. – Wife's Family Prominent|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/20/archives/london-divorce-suit-names-indian-prince-aly-khan-is-corespondent-in.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=20 June 1935|page=7}}</ref><ref name="1935Costs">{{cite news|title=Guinnesses are Divorced – Costs of Action Assessed Against Aly Khan, Named by Husband|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F00EFD9173FEE3BBC4D53DFB767838E629EDE&legacy=true|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 November 1935|page=20}}</ref><ref name="1936Abso">{{cite news|title=Guinness Divorce Is Absolute|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06E7DC1F3AE33BBC4A52DFB366838D629EDE&legacy=true|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=12 May 1936|page=11}}</ref>
In 1936, he married his second wife, Lady Isabel Violet Kathleen Manners (1918–2008), daughter of the 9th Duke of Rutland.<ref name="1936Engagment">{{cite news|title=Ursula Manners Become Engaged – Daughter of Duke of Rutland to Be Married to Thomas Guinness, M.P. – He Formerly Lived Here – Son of Banker Who Headed New York Firm – Fiancee Niece of Lady Diana Duff Cooper|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/09/10/archives/i-ursula-manners-becomes-engaged-daughter-of-duke-of-rutland-to-be.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=10 September 1936|page=22}}</ref><ref name="1936Wedding">{{cite news|title=Loel Guinness Weds Lady Isobel Manners – Daughter of Duke and Duchess of Rutland Becomes Bride of British M. P.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/25/archives/loel-guinness-weds-lady-isobel-manners-daughter-of-duke-and-duchess.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=25 November 1936|page=20}}</ref> The Guinnesses were prominent in society at Palm Beach.<ref name="1936Party">{{cite news|title=Palm Beach Party by Charles A. Munn – Lady Isobel Guinness and Loel Guinness Among His Guests at Luncheon in Amado|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/29/archives/palm-beach-party-by-charles-a-munn-lady-isobel-guinness-and-loel.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=29 December 1936|page=19}}</ref><ref name="1937Yacht">{{cite news|last=Scarborough|first=Nan|title=Loel Guinnesses End Yacht Trip – Cross to London in Atlantis, After Wedding Tour in the United States – Lord Mountbatten Host – Gives Luncheon Party for Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers – E. A. Hurds on Visit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/04/archives/loel-guinnesses-end-yacht-trip-cross-to-london-in-atlantis-after.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=4 April 1937|page=4}}</ref> Together, they were the parents of a son and a daughter, Serena Belinda Rosemary ("Lindy") Guinness, who became the Marchioness of Dufferin upon her marriage to the 5th Marquess of Dufferin.<ref name="LGObit1989"/>
In a reversal of the outcome of his first marriage, in 1951, Lady Isabel was granted a divorce after accusing him of adultery, which he did not contest.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Decree Nisi'' for Lady Isabel Violet K. Guinness |work=The Times |date=10 February 1951 |page=9 }}</ref>
On 7 April 1951,<ref name="1951Wedding">{{cite news|title=Thomas L.E.B. Guinness Weds|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/04/08/archives/thomas-leb-guinness-weds.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=8 April 1951|page=86}}</ref> he married his third wife, the Mexican socialite Gloria Rubio y Alatorre (1913–1980).<ref name="GGObit1980">{{cite news|title=Gloria Guinness, 67, Trend-Setter in Fashion and Hospitality, Dead|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/11/10/archives/gloria-guinness-67-trendsetter-in-fashion-and-hospitality-dead.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=10 November 1980|page=D11}}</ref><ref name="1961MrsGuinness">{{cite news|title=Mrs. Guinness: Rare Fashion Leader; Couturiers Are Guided by Her Personal Style Flair Has Plan for Dressing for Four Homes in Varied Locales|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05E4DA143CEE32A25756C0A9649D946091D6CF&legacy=true|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 December 1961|page=52}}</ref> Her daughter, Dolores married his eldest son.<ref name="LGObit1989"/><ref name="Newill2015">{{cite news|last1=Newill|first1=Eric|title=Lavish Florida Palmeraie Once Home to Society Darlings Loel and Gloria Guinness Is on the Market For a Record $200 Million|url=https://www.orbmagazine.com/sotto-voce/lavish-florida-palmeraie-once-home-to-society-darlings-loel-and-gloria-guinness-is-asking-a-record-200-million/|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=Orb Magazine|date=6 February 2015|language=en|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717035925/http://www.orbmagazine.com/sotto-voce/lavish-florida-palmeraie-once-home-to-society-darlings-loel-and-gloria-guinness-is-asking-a-record-200-million/|archivedate=17 July 2016|volume=3|issue=5}}</ref>
On 31 December 1988, Guinness died of heart disease at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, United States.<ref name="LGObit1989">{{cite news|last1=Fowler|first1=Glenn|title=Loel Guinness, 82, R.A.F. Flier And a Socialite on 2 Continents|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/03/obituaries/loel-guinness-82-raf-flier-and-a-socialite-on-2-continents.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=The New York Times|date=3 January 1989}}</ref> He was buried with the remains of his third wife at the Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery, Lausanne.
==References== ;Notes {{Reflist|30em}}
;Sources * Mosley, Charles, ''Burke's Peerage and Baronetage'', 107th edition, volume 2, page 1695. * Vickers, Hugo, ''The Unexpurgated Beaton: The Cecil Beaton Diaries as He Wrote Them'', 1970–1980, Knopf, New York, 2003.<!-- ISSN/ISBN needed -->
==External links== * {{Hansard-contribs | mr-thomas-guinness | Loel Guinness }} *[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/03/obituaries/loel-guinness-82-raf-flier-and-a-socialite-on-2-continents.html Obituary: Loel Guinness, 82, R.A.F. Flier And a Socialite on 2 Continents], The New York Times, 3 January 1989.
{{s-start}} {{s-par|uk}} {{succession box | title = Member of Parliament for Bath | years = 1931–1945 | before = Hon. Charles Baillie-Hamilton | after = Sir James Pitman }} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guinness, Loel}} Category:1906 births Category:1988 deaths Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst Category:Irish Guards officers Category:Royal Air Force group captains Loel Guinness Category:UK MPs 1931–1935 Category:UK MPs 1935–1945 Category:British anti-communists Category:English bankers Category:British socialites Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Category:English aviators Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:Commanders of the Order of Orange-Nassau Category:Officers of the Legion of Honour Category:British recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Category:Politics of Bath, Somerset Category:Politicians from New York City Category:20th-century English businesspeople Category:British recipients of the Legion of Honour