Francis Curzon

Rt. Hon. Earl Howe

Francis Richard Henry Penn Curzon, 5th Earl Howe, CBE  was born in  May 1884 in Mayfair, London. He was a Member of Parliament and naval officer, as well as being a racing driver and promoter of the sport, and became a peer in 1929 on the death of his father. While in Parliament he took up racing, co-founded the BRDC with Dudley Benjafield, and served as its President until his death.

He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1931 with Sir Henry Birkin and raced extensively through the thirties but the outbreak of the Second World War effectively ended his career. After the war he played a pivotal role in the development of motor sport in Britain, both as President of the BRDC and Patron of the 500 Club. Earl Howe died in July 1964. His daughter, Lady Sarah Curzon, married Formula 1 driver Piers Courage.

Earl Howe profiled by Dick Caesar in Iota, June 1948