Noted as a "sporting peer", was described in his obituary as being "of handsome appearance and impressive deportment". He was born March 25, 1893, elder son of the 13th Earl. He served in the Royal Navy during World War I and was present at the Battle of Jutland aboard The Lion, Lord Beatty's flagship. Having succeeded his father in 1922 he began his association with horse racing. Having always been a keen rider to hounds he now raced as an amateur both on the flat and under National Hunt rules. He also owned and trained race horses, having a particularly successful season in 1923 when he trained 23 winners. In 1924 Royal Chancellor won him the Scottish Grand National.

Having visited America to study business methods he began a business career in 1929 and was elected to the boards of two energy companies. He retired from training in 1931 but continued his sporting interests, which included hunting, boxing, shooting and in his later years golf: he was also on the board of Arsenal Football Club.

In 1923 he married a widow, the Hon. Mrs. Arthur Capel, a daughter of the 4th Lord Ribblesdale. By her he had two sons, of whom the elder succeeded him (the younger was the author Julian Fane).

He died at his home near Badminton, Gloucestershire, on May 12, 1948, aged 55, after an illness of some three months