Viscount Malden
(1826-1879)
7 January 1862
Volume 5, page 303, sitting number 6707.
Born on 22 July 1826, Arthur de Vere Capell was the eldest son of Arthur Algernon Capell, who in 1839 succeeded his half-uncle and became the 6th Earl of Essex. His mother was Lady Caroline Janetta Beauclerk, a daughter of the 8th Duke of St Albans.
He was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He entered the army in 1844 as a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade; he afterwards exchanged to the Royal Horse Guards but retired in 1852. I think that his retirement must have had something to do with his involvement in the divorce of Lieutenant Septimus Moore Hawkins from his wife Harriette Lavinia née Dennie. The Lieutenant had been stationed in Canada. On his return to England he joined his wife at a hotel on the Isle of Wight but was astonished when shortly afterwards she gave birth to a healthy, fully formed baby. On discovering the circumstances that had given rise to this event (the birth was a surprise to everyone except Mrs Hawkins) he sued for a divorce from his wife and initiated a criminal conversation suit against Lord Malden, claiming £500 compensation for alienation of his wife’s affections. (Reynold’s Newspaper, 23 May 1852. The story was widely reported all over the country).
On 23 January 1853 Arthur married Emma Martha Meux, third daughter of Sir Henry Meux, 1st Baronet Meux of Theobald’s Park, Hampshire. Their marriage produced two sons and three daughters.
In 1854 Lord Malden joined the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry and became Major of the regiment the following year. In 1864 he replaced the Earl of Verulam as Lieutenant-Colonel. ‘This office he continued to fill until to the time of his decease, and by his affability of manner and courteous disposition he was deservedly popular with the whole regiment’ (Hertford Mercury and Reformer, 15 March 1879).
From 1839 until his death Arthur held the courtesy title Viscount Malden. He predeceased his father so he never became the Earl of Essex. The titles and estate skipped a generation and were inherited by his son.
Lord Malden died on 10 March 1879 at the age of 52.
‘The deceased Viscount resided at Marden Hill, in this neighbourhood, for a few years, and latterly in London. He will be deeply regretted by many relatives and friends, who were sincerely attached to him. It has fallen to the lot of few men to make themselves as great a favourite, but Lord Malden’s geniality, kindness, and good humour rendered him universally popular, while by those who knew him most intimately he was esteemed and loved for all the best qualities that can endear a family or secure a friend’ (Ibid.)