Probyn, Sir Dighton Macnaghten, 1833-1924 (Knight, General and courtier)
Dates
- Existence: 1833 - 1924
Biography
Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn (1833-1924), knight, general and officer of royal household, was born in London on 21 January 1833. He obtained a cornet's commission in the 6th Bengal light cavalry in 1849, and in 1852 he transferred to the 2nd Punjab cavalry in the Punjab frontier force. Probyn served with his regiment during the siege of Delhi in 1857 and in Agra. Probyn commanded his regiment in the Ambela campaign in 1863, his last active service. In 1870, as a colonel, he was chosen as equerry to Prince Alfred, duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria's second son, during the prince's tour of India, and in 1872 he was appointed equerry to the prince of Wales, whom he accompanied on his tour of India in 1875. In 1901, on Edward VII's accession, he was made privy councillor and keeper of the privy purse. After the king's death in 1910 Probyn became comptroller of Queen Alexandra's household. He died on 20 June 1924 at Sandringham, Norfolk.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Porter from Sir Dighton Probyn, Marlborough House, London, 20 Feb. 1882
Most of the letters are replies to appeals by Porter for contributions to a memorial to Henry Fawcett and the cost of portraits of the seventh Duke of Devonshire, J.B. Lightfoot and B.F. Westcott; or replies to his invitations to a dinner in honour of recipients of honorary degrees (1883), and the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Peterhouse (1884); or concern an address of support from members of Senate to the Liberal Unionist leadership (1887).
Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn: Letter to John Peile, 1892
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.