Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary 1908/Correct Ceremonious Forms of Address

by Thomas Davidson

CORRECT CEREMONIOUS FORMS OF ADDRESS.

The following are the correct ceremonious modes of addressing and beginning letters to persons of title or holding offices:

Ambassador, British—Address: 'His Excellency [in other respects according to his rank], H.B.M.'s Ambassador and Plenipotentiary.' Begin: 'Sir,' 'My Lord,' &c., according to rank. Refer personally to as 'Your Excellency.' An Ambassador's wife, when resident abroad, is sometimes, but not very correctly, designated 'Your Excellency.'

Archbishop—'His Grace the Lord Archbishop of ——.' Begin: 'My Lord Archbishop.' Refer to as 'Your Grace.' In formal documents the Archbishop of Canterbury is addressed as 'The Most Reverend Father in God, Frederick, by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitan;' the Archbishop of York as 'The Most Reverend Father in God, William, by Divine permission Lord Archbishop of York, Primate of England and Metropolitan.' But an Irish Archbishop appointed since 1868 is only 'The Most Reverend the Archbishop of ——,' unless he happen to be a temporal peer, in which case he is 'The Right Hon. and Most Rev.'

Archdeacon—'The Venerable the Archdeacon of ——.' Begin: 'Venerable Sir.'

Baron—'The Right Hon. Lord ——,' or 'The Lord ——.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Baron's Daughter—If unmarried, 'The Hon.' [Christian name and surname]; if married, 'The Hon. Mrs' [husband's surname]. Begin: 'Madam.' If married to a Baronet or Knight, 'The Hon. Lady' [husband's surname]. Begin: 'My Lady.' If the wife of a peer, or of the son of a Duke or Marquess, address as such.

Baron's Son—'The Hon.' [Christian name and surname]. Begin: 'Sir.' But the eldest sons of Barons in the Peerage of Scotland are usually addressed as 'The Hon. the Master of' [peerage title].

Baron's Son's Wife—'The Hon. Mrs' [husband's surname], or, if necessary for distinction, the husband's Christian name should also be used. Begin: 'Madam.' If the daughter of an Earl, Marquess, or Duke, address as such.

Baroness, either in her own right or her husband's—'The Right Hon. the Baroness ——,' 'The Right Hon. Lady ——,' or 'The Lady ——.' Begin: 'My Lady.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Baronet—'Sir [Christian name and surname], Bart.' Commence: 'Sir.'

Baronet's Wife—'Lady' [surname]. Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Bishop, Colonial—As Scottish bishop.

Bishop, English—'The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London,' or 'The Lord Bishop of London.' Begin: 'My Lord Bishop.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.' In formal documents a Bishop is 'The Right Rev. Father in God, John, by Divine permission Lord Bishop of Salisbury.'

Bishop, Irish, consecrated before 1868—As English Bishop.

Bishop, Irish, consecrated since 1868—'The Right Rev. the Bishop of Ossory,' or in case of the Bishops of Meath and Tuam, 'The Most Rev.' Begin: 'Right Rev. Sir,' or 'Most Rev. Sir.'

Bishop, Retired—'The Right Rev. Bishop ——,' or 'The Right Rev. —— ——, D.D.' Begin: 'Right Rev. Sir.'

Bishop, Scottish—'The Right Rev. the Bishop of Edinburgh,' or 'The Right Rev. Bishop Dowden.' The Bishop who holds the position of Primus is generally addressed, 'The Most Rev. the Primus.' The use of 'Lord Bishop' and 'My Lord' is incorrect.

Bishop Suffragan—'The Right Rev. the Bishop Suffragan of Bedford.' Begin: 'Right Rev. Sir.'

Bishops' Wives and Children have no titles.

Clergy—'The Rev.' [Christian name and surname]. Begin: 'Rev. Sir.' If son of a Duke or Marquess, 'The Rev. Lord' [Christian name and surname]. If the son of an Earl, Viscount, or Baron, 'The Rev. the Hon.' [Christian name and surname] is beginning to supersede 'The Hon. and Rev.' The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland during his year of office is styled 'Right Rev.;' ex-moderators are usually spoken of as 'Very Rev.'

Companion of an Order of Knighthood—The initials, C.B., C.M.G., C.S.I., or C.I.E., as it may be, are subjoined to the ordinary form of address.

Consul, British—'—— ——, Esq., H.B.M.'s Agent and Consul-General,' 'Consul-General,' 'Consul,' or 'Vice-Consul,' as it may be.

Countess—'The Right Hon. the Countess of ——.' Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Dean—'The Very Rev. the Dean of ——.' Begin: 'Very Rev. Sir.'

Doctor—The initials D.D., M.D., LL.D., Mus.D., are placed after the ordinary form of address, as 'The Rev. John Davidson, D.D.,' 'David Patrick, Esq., LL.D.' But 'The Rev. Dr Davidson,' 'Dr David Patrick,' are also frequently used.

Dowager—On the marriage of a peer or Baronet, the widow of the previous holder of the title becomes 'Dowager,' and is addressed, 'The Right Hon. the Dowager Countess of ——,' 'The Dowager Lady ——.' As more than one Dowager may hold the same title, the term is less used than formerly, and the Christian name is instead coming to be employed as a distinction—e.g. 'The Right Hon. Helen Countess of ——.'

Duchess—'Her Grace the Duchess of ——.' Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Grace.'

Duke—'His Grace the Duke of ——.' Begin: 'My Lord Duke.' Refer to as 'Your Grace.'

Duke's Daughter—'The Right Hon. Lady' [Christian name and surname], or 'The Lady' [Christian name and surname], the surname being that of her husband if married. Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.' If married to a peer, she is addressed according to her husband's rank only. This, however, does not hold in the case of peers by courtesy; and a Duke's daughter married to the eldest son of an Earl, after the prefix 'Lady,' sometimes takes her own Christian name, followed by her husband's courtesy title.

Duke's Eldest Son and his Children—The courtesy title is treated as if it were an actual peerage; his eldest son taking the grandfather's third title, and being addressed as if a peer.

Duke's Eldest Son's Wife—As if her husband's courtesy title were an actual peerage.

Duke's Younger Son—'The Right Hon. Lord' [Christian name and surname], or 'The Lord' [Christian name and surname]. Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Duke's Younger Son's Wife—'The Right Hon. Lady,' or 'The Lady' [husband's Christian name and surname]. Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Earl—'The Right Hon. the Earl of ——,' or 'The Earl of ——.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Earl's Daughter—As Duke's daughter.

Earl's Eldest Son, and Earl's Eldest Son's Wife—As if the courtesy title were an actual peerage.

Earl's Younger Son and his Wife—As Baron's son and his wife.

Governor of Colony—'His Excellency [ordinary designation], Governor of ——.' Begin according to rank, and refer to as 'Your Excellency.'

Judge, English or Irish—'The Hon. Sir —— ——,' if a Knight, or 'The Hon. Mr Justice ——.' Begin: 'Sir.' On the bench only he is addressed as 'My Lord,' and referred to as 'Your Lordship.'

Judge of County Court—'His Honour Judge ——.' When on the bench, referred to as 'Your Honour.'

Judges, Scottish—See Lord of Session.

Justice of Peace in England (not Scotland)—'The Right Worshipful.' Referred to when on the bench as 'Your Worship.'

KING—'The King's Most Excellent Majesty.' Begin: 'Sire,' or 'May it please your Majesty,' or 'Lord —— presents his duty to your Majesty.' Refer to as 'Your Majesty.'

King's Counsel—Append K.C. to ordinary address.

Knight Bachelor—As Baronet, except that the word 'Bart.' is omitted.

Knight of the Bath, of St Michael and St George, or of the Star of India—'Sir' [Christian name and surname], with the initials G.C.B., K.C.B., K.M.G., or K.S.I. added. Begin: 'Sir.'

Knight of the Garter, of the Thistle, or of St Patrick—The initials K.G., K.T., or K.P., as it may be, are to be added to the address.

Knight's Wife, whether wife of Knight Bachelor, of the Bath, of St Michael and St George, or of the Star of India—As Baronet's wife.

Lord Advocate of Scotland—'The Right Hon. the Lord Advocate.' Usual beginning: 'My Lord,' though 'Sir' is said to be more correct.

Lord Chancellor—'The Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor.' Begin and refer to according to rank.

Lord Chief-Justice—'The Right Hon. the Lord Chief-Justice of England,' or 'The Right Hon. Sir —— ——, Lord Chief-Justice of England.' Begin, if a peer, according to his degree; otherwise as under Judge.

Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly—'His Grace the Lord High Commissioner.' Begin according to rank as a peer. Refer to as 'Your Grace.'

Lord Justice-Clerk—'The Right Hon. the Lord Justice-Clerk.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Lord Justice-General of Scotland—'The Right Hon. the Lord Justice-General.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Lord Justice of Appeal—'The Right Hon. the Lord Justice ——,' or 'The Right Hon. Sir —— ——.' Begin and refer to as a Judge.

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—'His Grace,' if a Duke; otherwise, 'His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant.' Begin and refer to according to rank as a peer.

Lord Mayor of London, York, Dublin, &c.—'The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London,' or 'The Right Hon. —— ——, Lord Mayor of London.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Lord Mayor's Wife—'The Right Hon. the Lady Mayoress of ——.' Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and his Wife—As Baron and Baroness. Their children have no title.

Lord of Session in Scotland—'The Hon. Lord ——.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.' His wife has no title.

Lord Provost—'The Right Hon. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh,' 'The Hon. the Lord Provost of Glasgow,' 'The Lord Provost of Aberdeen' or of 'Perth.' Begin: 'My Lord Provost,' or 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.' The Lord Provost's wife has no title.

Maid of Honour—'The Hon. Miss ——.' Begin: 'Madam.'

Marchioness—'The Most Hon. the Marchioness of ——.' Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Marquess—'The Most Hon. the Marquess of ——.' Begin: 'My Lord Marquess.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Marquess's Daughter—Like Duke's daughter.

Marquess's Eldest Son—Like Duke's eldest son.

Marquess's Younger Son—Like Duke's younger son.

Mayor—'The Right Worshipful the Mayor of ——.' Begin: 'Sir.' Refer to as 'Your Worship.'

Member of Parliament—Add M.P. to the usual form of address.

Minister Resident—'—— ——, Esq. [or according to rank], 'H.B.M.'s Minister Resident, ——.'

Officers in the Army and Navy—The professional is prefixed to any other rank—e.g. 'Admiral the Right Hon. the Earl of ——,' 'Lieut.-Col. Sir —— ——, K.C.B.' Officers below the rank of Captain in the Army or Commander in the Navy are more generally addressed by their social, not professional rank, followed by the name of the regiment, R.A., R.E., or R.N., as may be.

Premier—According to his rank.

Prince—If a Duke, 'His Royal Highness the Duke of ——.' If not a Duke, 'His Royal Highness Prince' [Christian name]. Begin, in either case, 'Sir.' Refer to as 'Your Royal Highness.'

Princess—If a Duchess, 'Her Royal Highness the Duchess of ——.' If not a Duchess, 'Her Royal Highness the Princess' [Christian name]. Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Royal Highness.'

Principal of a Scottish University—When a clergyman, 'The Very Rev. the Principal of Aberdeen,' or 'The Very Rev. Principal' [Marshall Lang].

Privy Councillor—'The Right Hon.,' followed by name or title. Begin and refer to according to rank.

QUEEN—'The Queen's Most excellent Majesty.' Begin: 'Madam,' or 'May it please your Majesty.' Otherwise, 'Lord —— presents his duty to your Majesty.' Refer to as 'Your Majesty.'

Queen's Counsel—Append Q.C. to ordinary address.

Secretary of State—'Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the —— Department.'

Serjeant-at-Law—'Serjeant ——,' or 'Mr Serjeant ——.'

Sheriff of London—'The Right Worshipful.'

Vice-Chancellor—As a Judge. Begin: 'Sir.' Address on the bench as 'My Lord.'

Viscount—'The Right Hon. the Lord Viscount ——,' or 'The Lord Viscount ——.' Begin: 'My Lord.' Refer to as 'Your Lordship.'

Viscountess—'The Right Hon. the Viscountess ——,' or 'The Viscountess ——.' Begin: 'Madam.' Refer to as 'Your Ladyship.'

Viscount's Daughter, Son, and Son's Wife—As Baron's daughter, son, and son's wife.

In correspondence with equals or personal friends letters are begun less formally—e.g., 'My dear Lord,' 'Dear Lord ——,' 'Dear Sir James.' We are less ceremonious than our ancestors a few generations ago, when letters to the nearest relatives and most intimate friends were begun and ended in the most formal manner. Designations like 'Mrs General ——,' 'Mrs Captain ——,' 'Mrs Dr ——,' which were fifty years ago not uncommon, were always improper. Persons holding offices other than those enumerated are addressed in the usual form, 'Sir,' 'Dear Sir,' or 'My dear Sir,' according to the more or less formal terms on which the writer may be with his correspondent. A firm is addressed 'Gentlemen' or 'Dear Sirs.'