His mother was Emily Mary, daughter of the physician and traveller Sir Henry Holland, 1st Baronet.

[5] A revolt by some of the South African populace on the outbreak of the First World War temporarily threatened his safety, but the country's Prime Minister, General Louis Botha, immediately attached the Union of South Africa to Britain.

Thereafter, Lord Buxton and General Botha formed an effective partnership, planning and executing South African actions in the war, including the invasion of the neighbouring German colony of South West Africa.

[citation needed] He was created Earl Buxton on 8 November 1920,[6] and continued to be a member of the Liberal Party, often supporting his close friend and colleague Sir Edward Grey.

In his later years, he had to undergo amputation of his leg due to a knee injury sustained earlier in his life.

[1] By his first wife, Constance Mary Lubbock (died 3 November 1892):[7] By his second wife, Mildred Anne, Countess Buxton DBE JP (1866–1955):[7] Since all his sons died unmarried in his lifetime, his titles became extinct at his death.