Young of Farnworth, Janet Mary Baker Young, Baroness

▪ 2003

      British politician (b. Oct. 23, 1926, Widnes, Lancashire, Eng.—d. Sept. 6, 2002, Oxford, Eng.), was the first woman to serve as leader of the House of Lords; a committed conservative, she was perhaps best known for her zealous dedication to traditional family values and sexual morality, a stance that brought her heated criticism, especially from gay rights groups, late in her career. Young was a member of the Oxford City Council for 15 years, beginning in 1957. In 1971 she was awarded a life peerage by Prime Minister Edward Heath, and the following year she was made a Lords junior whip. In 1979 Young became minister of state at the Department of Education and Science; two years later Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appointed her chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and leader of the House of Lords. Although Young became Lord Privy Seal in 1982, her tenure lasted only another year, after which Thatcher replaced her. Young was a deputy foreign minister from 1983 to 1987.

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