George Herbert Strutt funded the construction of an elementary school in Belper at a cost of £20,000, which opened in 1909 under the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire. This institution, which later functioned as a grammar school, stood as a significant example of his dedication to civic improvement within the Derbyshire region.
Background and Education
Born in 1854 to George Henry Strutt and Agnes Ashton, he belonged to a prominent family associated with the cotton mill industry and the innovations of his ancestor, Jedediah Strutt. He was the youngest child and the only son in the family. His formal education took place at Harrow School, followed by studies at Magdalen College, Oxford.
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In 1902, Strutt and his second wife, Mary Emily Charlotte Hind, acquired the 24,000-acre Glensanda and Kingairloch estates on the Morvern Peninsula in Scotland. He directed various improvements, including the construction of cottages, pony paths, and a dam in Glen Galmadale to regulate the River Galma for fishing. To navigate the remote geography, he maintained a 150-ton steamship named Sanda for travel to Oban and the surrounding islands.
Public Service and Civic Contributions
He held the position of High Sheriff of Derbyshire from 1903 to 1904, following an appointment as a deputy lieutenant of the county in 1901. His philanthropy in Belper extended beyond the school project; in 1910, he funded a public swimming pool and, in 1921, donated land for the creation of Memorial Gardens to honor those lost during the First World War.
Personal Life and Death
Strutt married his first wife, Edith Adele Balguy, in 1876, with whom he had seven children. Following her death, he married Mary Emily Charlotte Hind in 1898, adding five more children to his family. He died of pneumonia in 1928 at Ballater, Scotland, at the age of 74. His son Arthur later inherited the Glensanda estate, where he disappeared in 1977; his remains were located five years later.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 April 1854, Belper
- Died: 17 May 1928, Ballater
- High Sheriff of Derbyshire: 1903-1904
- Education: Harrow School and Magdalen College, Oxford
- Notable Gift: Herbert Strutt School, 1909
- Estates: Glensanda and Kingairloch, Scotland
- Spouses: Edith Adele Balguy and Mary Emily Charlotte Hind
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the Herbert Strutt School?
It provided elementary education for children in Belper and surrounding villages, funded by a £20,000 donation from Strutt.
How did the Glensanda estate function?
It was a 24,000-acre property in Scotland where Strutt built infrastructure like dams and cottages, relying on his steamship, the Sanda, for access.
Achievements
- Educated at Magdalen College and Harrow School
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