Charles Wood, 2nd Earl of Halifax

Charles Ingram Courtenay Wood, 2nd Earl of Halifax (3 October 1912 – 19 March 1980), styled Lord Irwin between 1944 and 1959, was a British politician and peer.

Background

Wood was the son of E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, statesman and Foreign Secretary.

Political career

Wood also entered politics, becoming Member of Parliament (MP) for the City of York in 1937, as a Conservative. In 1939, at the outbreak of World War II, Wood rejoined the Royal Horse Guards and served for three years in the Middle East. He continued as a Member of Parliament during this time. At the 1945 general election, he lost his seat to the Labour candidate, Dr John Corlett.

Family

In 1936, he married Ruth, daughter of the Liberal politician Neil Primrose, and the granddaughter of Prime Minister Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Wood succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Halifax in 1960. In 1978, his horse Shirley Heights won the Epsom Derby.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Earl of Halifax

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Roger Lumley	Member of Parliament for the City of York 1937–1945	Succeeded by John Corlett
Honorary titles
Preceded by The Lord Deramore	Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire 1968–1974	Office abolished
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Edward Wood	Earl of Halifax 1960–1980	Succeeded by Charles Wood