Durham was the eldest twin son of George Lambton, 2nd Earl of Durham and his wife Lady Beatrix Frances Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn.

[4] He was made a Knight Companion of the Garter in 1909 and admitted to the Privy Council in 1911.

The marriage was childless and Lady Durham was committed to a mental institution for most of her adult life.

In 1892 Lord Durham had a son, John R H Rudge, out of wedlock with the actress and dancer Letitia Elizabeth Rudge, known professionally as Letty Lind, whom he could not marry because his wife's illness prevented a divorce.

[6] Lord Durham died in September 1928, at the age of 73, and was succeeded in the earldom and other titles by his younger twin brother, Frederick.