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Michael Cecil, 8th Marquess of Exeter

The Marquess of Exeter
Born (1935-09-01) 1 September 1935 (age 89)
EducationEton College
Spouses
Nancy Meeker
(m. 1967; div. 1993)
Barbara Anne Magat
(m. 1999)
Children2
Member of the House of Lords
In office
26 April 1989 (1989-04-26) – 11 November 1999 (1999-11-11)
Preceded by7th Marquess of Exeter
Succeeded bySeat abolished

William Michael Anthony Cecil, 8th Marquess of Exeter[a] (born 1 September 1935), is a Canadian rancher, businessman, and peer.

Life and career

[edit]
2014 photograph of 100 Mile House, Cecil's hometown.

Cecil was born on 1 September 1935 in Kamloops to William Martin Alleyne Cecil and Edith Csanady de Telegd.[1][2][3] Martin had immigrated to Canada in 1930 to manage the family's Bridge Creek Ranch, sized at around 15,000 acres (6,100 ha).[4] He was christened at the family's ranch later in the year by the Bishop of Cariboo.[5] Cecil was educated in both rural Canada and formal English schools before going to Eton College.[3] After graduating from Eton, and managed a general store in 100 Mile House, taking over after his father. Two years after he began managing it, he began designing and managing another store named the Food Centre.[6] Following the death of Martin's brother, ownership of the family estate—Burghley House—was transferred to a charitable trust.[7]

Csanady died in 1955 after a prolonged illness.[8] Cecil got engaged to Nancy Meeker—son of Lloyd Arthur Meeker—in 1967, wedding later in the year.[9][1] They had two children: Anthony and Angela. Cecil and Meeker divorced in 1993. Six years later in 1999, Cecil married Barbara Anne Magat.[1]

Cecil's uncle—David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter—died in 1981. Because he had no sons to inherit his title, it went to David's brother, Martin, and he became the 7th marquess. As the heir apparent, Michael became Lord Burghley.[10]: B3 [3]

In January 1988, Martin died following a short illness.[11] As a result, Michael inherited his titles and estate, becoming the 8th Marquess of Exeter, which entitled him to a seat in the House of Lords from 26 April 1989 to 11 November 1999, when the House of Lords Act 1999 was passed,[12] excluding all but ninety-two hereditary peers.[13] He made his maiden speech in the House of Lords on 16 May 1990.[14] Before the act was passed, Cecil would travel to England once or twice a year to sit in the House. Due to his infrequent presence, he did not vote in the House, but stated that he had "some wisdom to contribute",[15] and that he was "listed as having things to say on environmental matters".[3]: n.pag.

The title of marquess is still pretty good for getting a decent seat in a restaurant in England. But that's about it.

Cecil on his title.[10]: B3 

Cecil also inherited the leadership of the Emissaries of Divine Light.[10]: B1 Unlike his father, which had promoted "placing spiritual authority in himself", Cecil decreased the hierarchy within the community and pushed democracy to its members. Even though members of the commune credited Cecil with dismantling some hierarchy within the Emissaries of Divine Light, they viewed him as a "reluctant head" and believed that he was not fit for leadership.[10]: B3 

In 1995, citing differences over "corporate direction", Cecil and his sister, Marina Castonguay, agreed to split Bridge Creek Companies, the famly business, between the two of them and their respective families. Lilian Cecil, Martin's widow, divided her interests between the new companies. According to the split, Michael retained approximately 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of the family ranch—Bridge Creek Estate—while Castonguay received the remaining 8,000 acres (3,200 ha). Castonguay proceeded to rename her section of the ranch to 100 Mile Ranch.[16]: 4  Michael also held a minority share of Red Coach Inn and several residential lots, while Castonguay received residentially zoned land on 99 Mile Hill and near the local cemetery. Michael was given the majority of industrial lots on Exeter Road, while Castonguay received some of the lots on the road. Michael named his company Exeter Lake Holdings, Ltd.; and Castonguay named her company 100 Mile Ranch Holdings, Ltd.[16]: 5 

Michael resigned as leader and left the commune around 1996.[10]: B1 He then proceeded to move to Oregon.[17]

He and Magat co-ran The Ashland Institute in Ashland, Oregon.[10]: B3

References

[edit]
  1. ^ For research purposes: He was seemed to have been mentioned as Lord Cecil, Michael Cecil, William Michael Anthony Cecil, 8th Marquess of Exeter, Michael Exeter, Michael Anthony Cecil. Also search for Marquess of Exeter from 1988–present.
  1. ^ a b c Morris, Susan (20 April 2020). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (2019 ed.). Debrett's. p. 2560. ISBN 9781999767051. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Marquess of Exeter". The Daily Telegraph. London, Greater London, England. 14 January 1988. p. 12. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Frasher, Steven (17 May 1995). "The unassuming Lord of 100 Mile House". 100 Mile Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. p. 11. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ "100 Mile's roots go back to 1862 and the Cariboo Wagon Road". 100 Mile Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. 24 April 1991. p. 29. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  5. ^ "Home from Canadian Ranch". Evening Standard. London, Greater London, England. 17 December 1936. p. 23. Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Women's programs—Speaking of the Lodge". 100 Mile House Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. 11 April 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. ^ Courtney, Julia (16 January 1988). "Death of Marquess of Exeter". Leicester Mercury. Leicester, Leicestershire, England. p. 11. Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Foster, Chris; Luft, Paul (20 January 1988). "From stately Burghley House to pioneering the Cariboo". 100 Mile Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. p. 5. Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com. She [Edith] died in early 1954 after an extended illness.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  9. ^ "Meeker-Cecil". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2 February 1967. p. 27. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Todd, Douglas (29 September 2003). "Leader left Divine Light behind him". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Exeter". The Daily Telegraph. London, Greater London, England. 14 January 1988. p. 13. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Parliamentary career for The Marquess of Exeter". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Snowdon leads Lords converts". BBC News. London: British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 1999. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Europe: Cultural and Social Co-operation – Hansard, 16 May 1990". Hansard. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  15. ^ Ohler, Shawn; Jennison, Kate (22 January 1999). "Tiny group of Canadian peers has personal stake in reforms". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. p. A6. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Michael Cecil, the Marquess of Exeter, travels to England to sit in the House of Lords once or twice a year. "I would feel it unwise for me to vote because I'm there so little. But I do have some wisdom to contribute," ...
  16. ^ a b Frasher, Steven (3 May 1995). "The break-up of Bridge Creek". 100 Mile Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. p. 4, 5. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  17. ^ Todd, Douglas (8 September 2003). "Darkness falls on Emissaries of Light". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. p. B2. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Marquess of Exeter
1988–present
Incumbent
Heir apparent:
Anthony Cecil, Lord Burghley