Alister Archibald-Collins - A Country Fox at Heart
Alister Archibald-Collins, the 12th Earl of Butterwick, was born in 1885 in the Lake District of Northern England. He was a prosperous landowner and a politician. He was born into a family with long ties and connections to the aristocratic society. Collins' progression through college life was an easy one. He considered himself a confident aristocrat who was also known for his generosity toward his friends.
During his time at Oxford University, Collins was famous for his outlandish behavior. However, he made it through these years mainly due to his intelligence and bravery on the rugby field.
Alister was aware of Britain's changes in agriculture and farming due to automation and industrialization. However, as a member of the aristocratic society, he steadfastly opposed any further industrial reform in Britain. Collins preferred the old ways of life, such as walking the hills and dales, mending broken fences, and helping workers to harvest. He was overall a town fox but still a country fox at heart.
Nevertheless, as he grew older, Collins reluctantly acknowledged that reform would help usher Britain into a new golden age. Therefore, he began to allow access to his sprawling estate to the huge, loud, and cumbersome iron machines that would help spin the wool, weave the cloth, and churn the fields.
In his early forties, Archibald-Collins abandoned politics and dedicated his life to being the full-time Earl of Butterwick — landowner, gentry, and steward of his estate. In 1928, he married Lady Breverly-Hanly, and they had two children: a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Reece.
In conclusion, Collins was a fascinating character who lived a successful and fulfilling life. He was confident in his beliefs and values while adapting to the changing times.