# Alistair Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 9th Marquess of Londonderry

Alexander Charles Robert "Alastair" Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 9th Marquess of Londonderry (7 September 1937 – 20 June 2012) was a British nobleman.

## Biography

The son of Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry (1902–1955) and his wife, the former Romaine Combe (died 1951), Alexander Charles Robert Vane-Tempest-Stewart was known as "Alastair". He was educated at Ludgrove School. When the 8th Marquess died in 1955, Alastair became the 9th Marquess at age 18. He renovated the family estate, Wynyard Park, County Durham, which Nikolaus Pevsner described as "the most splendid 19th-century mansion house in the county". Wynyard was sold by Lord Londonderry in 1987 and is now owned by the property developer Sir John Hall.
Lord Londonderry was an accomplished pianist, and a self-taught linguist. He was an authority on Franz Liszt, the Hungarian composer and virtuoso, and could read French, German, and Italian.
His first wife, whom he married in 1958, was Nicolette Elaine Katherine, daughter of Michael Harrison, a stockbroker, and his Latvian-born wife. Nicolette, Lady Londonderry, gave birth to two daughters: Lady Sophia (b. 23 February 1959) and Lady Cosima (b. 25 December 1961, who married Lord John Robert Somerset, third son of David Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort).
She also gave birth to a son, Tristan, who was once but is no longer styled Viscount Castlereagh, as Lord Londonderry later proved that Tristan was not his biological child, but that of the singer Georgie Fame. The Londonderrys divorced in 1971. Lady Cosima would later claim that her biological father was actually Robin Douglas-Home, nephew of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, the former Prime Minister. Nicolette married Georgie Fame in 1972; they later had another son, James. She committed suicide in 1993.
Lord Londonderry's second wife was Doreen Patricia Wells, former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, whom he married in 1972; they divorced in 1989. They had two sons, Frederick Aubrey Vane-Tempest-Stewart (born 6 September 1972), and Lord Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart (b. 1977), who is married to Chloë Belinda Guinness (born 29 April 1976); the couple have a son and two daughters.

## Death

The 9th Marquess of Londonderry died on 20 June 2012, aged 74. His elder son, Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, succeeded to his titles as the 10th Marquess.

## Ancestry

Ancestors of Alistair Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 9th Marquess of Londonderry :
vteMarquess of Londonderry family tree :
| Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 | Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 | Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 | Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 | Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 | Alexander Stewart 1699–1781 |
| Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Baron Londonderry (2nd creation), 1789 Viscount Castlereagh, 1795 Earl of Londonderry (3rd creation), 1796 Marquess of Londonderry, 1816 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | Sarah Frances Seymour 1747–1770 | | | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1739–1821 1st Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | | | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 | Frances Pratt c. 1751–1833 |
| | | | | | | | | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 |
| | | | | | | | | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Baron Stewart, 1814 Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham, 1823 | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Robert Stewart 1769–1822 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | | | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | Catherine Bligh d. 1812 | | | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles William Vane (né Stewart) 1778–1854 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 1st Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 | Frances Anne Vane 1800–1865 |
| Frederick William Robert Stewart 1805–1872 4th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Frederick William Robert Stewart 1805–1872 4th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Frederick William Robert Stewart 1805–1872 4th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | Frederick William Robert Stewart 1805–1872 4th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry | | | | | | | | | | | George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest 1821–1884 5th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 2nd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest 1821–1884 5th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 2nd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest 1821–1884 5th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 2nd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest 1821–1884 5th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 2nd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1852–1915 6th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 3rd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1852–1915 6th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 3rd Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Charles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1878–1949 7th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 4th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Charles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1878–1949 7th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 4th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Edward Charles Stewart Robert "Robin" Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1902–1955 8th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 5th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Edward Charles Stewart Robert "Robin" Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1902–1955 8th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 5th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alexander Charles Robert "Alastair" Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1937–2012 9th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 6th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Alexander Charles Robert "Alastair" Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1937–2012 9th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 6th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | Frederick Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1972 10th Marquess of Londonderry, Earl of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, and Baron Londonderry 7th Earl Vane, Viscount Seaham, and Baron Stewart | | | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | Reginald Alexander Vane-Tempest-Stewart b. 1977 | | | | | | | | | | | | Heir presumptive to all titles | Heir presumptive to all titles | Heir presumptive to all titles | Heir presumptive to all titles | Heir presumptive to all titles | Heir presumptive to all titles |