Charles Wood, 2nd Viscount Halifax

Charles Lindley Wood, 2nd Viscount Halifax (7 June 1839 – 19 January 1934), was a British Anglo-Catholic ecumenist who served as president of the English Church Union from 1868 to 1919, and from 1927 to 1934. In 1886, he was a former part of Northern Regiment of West Riding Yeomanry Cavalry became a Deputy Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire, also one of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and a member of Houses of Laymen for York.

Early life and education Halifax was born in London, the eldest son of Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax, a prominent Liberal politician, and his wife, the former Lady Mary Grey, the fifth daughter of the 2nd Earl Grey. As a student at Eton he was the favourite of William Johnson Cory, his master, who dedicated his book of Uranian verse, Ionica, to him. Between 1858 and 1863, he studied law and modern history at Christ Church, Oxford. He earned a BA in 1863 and MA in 1865.

From 1862 to 1877, he served as Groom of the Chamber to the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII. He succeeded to the viscountcy on 8 August 1885. The Hon. Alexandra Mary Elizabeth Wood (25 August 1871 – 10 March 1965), godchild of Queen Alexandra, married in 1898 Maj. Gen. Hugh Sutton The Hon. Francis Hugh Lindley Wood (21 September 1873 – 17 March 1889) The Hon. Mary Agnes Emily Wood (25 March 1877 – 25 March 1962), married in 1903 George Lane-Fox. He was later created, in 1933, the 1st Baron Bingley. The Hon. Henry Paul Lindley Wood (25 January 1879 – 6 June 1886) Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 3rd Viscount Halifax and 1st Earl of Halifax (16 April 1881 – 23 December 1959)

Halifax died in 1934 aged 94, having outlived his three eldest sons. His fourth and youngest son succeeded to the viscountcy and was created Earl of Halifax in 1944 after serving as Viceroy of India, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and British Ambassador to the United States.