Sir George Cooper Bt

Of all those blessed with wealth at this time, Sir George Cooper’s philanthropy to his country made him stand out from the rest, not only because of what has already been mentioned, but principally because of his donation to the war effort amounting to approximately five million pounds, the largest private donation of the war. The depletion of the family fortune by this donation and later swingeing death duties contributed to the family finding Hursley House too costly to renovate for use as a private residence after the Second World War.

There can be few equals to Sir George Cooper’s commitment of his private resources, given that in every way possible he helped the country’s war effort during this and later troubled times.

Sir George Cooper, Baronet.