Anthony Ashley-Cooper was born on 31 August 1869. On his father’s death he succeeded to the title of Lord Shaftesbury and inherited the family estates, including Belfast Castle.

His education took place at Eton and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was granted a commission in the 10th Hussars and from 1895 to 1898 was aide-de-camp to the Governor of India.

In September 1905, he was elected as alderman for Woodvale ward. From 1904 to 1911, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, and later served in the same position for County Antrim. In January 1908, he was elected as an honorary burgess of Belfast.

Lord Shaftesbury was closely associated with the royal family and served as Lord Chamberlain to Queen Mary and as Lord Steward to the King’s Household.

At the time of his death in March 1961, he was the longest serving member of the House of Lords. He was the last Knight of the Order of St. Patrick to have been installed, and was its last non-royal living member.

The Shaftesbury landed estate in Belfast was sold during the Earl’s lifetime and sold to property developers. Belfast Castle and the remainder of the land was acquired by the Belfast Corporation in 1934.