Francis Curzon, 5th Earl Howe
A British earl who swapped the House of Commons for the racetrack, winning Le Mans and shaping the future of British motorsport.
1884–1964 (age 80)·British politician·Birthday: May 1·The Lost Generation
Biography
Francis Curzon, the 5th Earl Howe, lived a life of aristocratic duty and high-octane passion. After serving as a naval officer in World War I, he entered politics, representing Battersea South as a Conservative MP for over a decade. But his true legacy was written on the racetrack. In his forties, he developed a serious fascination with motor racing, quickly transitioning from enthusiast to champion. In 1931, partnering with Sir Henry Birkin in an Alfa Romeo, he secured a historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. More than just a driver, Howe was a pivotal institutional figure. In 1928, he co-founded the British Racing Drivers' Club, an organization that would become the steward of British motorsport, and served as its president for over thirty years. His advocacy and prestige were instrumental in establishing the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Lord Howe seamlessly used his social standing to advance a sporting passion, helping to forge Britain's post-war identity as a powerhouse of automotive competition.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Francis was born in 1884, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Francis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1884
Francis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1884Born
President: Chester A. Arthur
1889Started school
Eiffel Tower opens in Paris
President: Benjamin Harrison
1897Became a teenager
President: William McKinley
1900Could drive
Boxer Rebellion in China
President: William McKinley
1902Could vote
The eruption of Mount Pelee kills 30,000 in Martinique
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1905Turned 21
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1914Turned 30
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Turned 40
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1934Turned 50
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1944Turned 60
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1954Turned 70
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 80
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
Key Achievements
- Won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1931, co-driving with Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin.
- Co-founded the British Racing Drivers' Club in 1928 and served as its President for 36 years.
- Served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Battersea South from 1918 to 1929.
- Was a key figure in establishing the Royal Automobile Club's ownership of the Silverstone circuit and the British Grand Prix.
Did You Know?
He was the first peer of the realm to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
During World War II, he returned to naval service and was mentioned in dispatches.
His racing career began relatively late; he was in his early forties when he started competing seriously.
The BRDC's prestigious annual award for the highest-placed British F1 driver is named the 'Earl Howe Trophy' in his honor.
“The true test of a machine is not its speed in a straight, but its balance through the corner.”
