William Michael Anthony Cecil, 8th Marquess of Exeter, Lord Burghley from 1981 to 1988 as heir apparent, Earl of Exeter and Baron Burghley from 12 January 1988, member of the House of Lords from 1989 until the hereditary peerage reforms of 1999, Canadian rancher and businessman, former head of the Emissaries of Divine Light., 17th Earl of Exeter, 18th Baron Burghley, hereditary peer, member of the House of Lords from 26 April 1989 until the exclusion of most hereditary peers under the House of Lords Act 1999.
Dates: Born 1 September 1935
Biography
Born at Kamloops, British Columbia, Michael is the only son of Martin Cecil, 7th Marquess of Exeter, and Edith Lilian Csanady de Telegd. He was educated in Canada and at Eton, then returned to British Columbia and became involved in the family's ranching and business interests. He succeeded his father as 8th Marquess on 12 January 1988. He has remained based in western Canada and maintains an active connection with Burghley House, which is administered by the Burghley House Preservation Trust.
Notes / Sources
Burghley House, The Family Now — https://burghley.co.uk/about-us/the-family/the-family-now
Historic England, Burghley House listing — https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000359?section=overview
College of Arms, Roll of the Peerage — https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Roll%20of%20the%20Peerage.pdf
The Peerage, William Michael Anthony Cecil family record — https://www.thepeerage.com/p8550.htm
Wikimedia Commons, Arms of the House of Cecil — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arms_of_the_House_of_Cecil.svg
Family / Armorial Context
Family / cadet branch: Cecil of Burghley; Marquesses of Exeter
Father: William Martin Alleyne Cecil, 7th Marquess of Exeter
Mother: Edith Lilian Csanady de Telegd
Spouse(s): Nancy Rose Meeker, married 3 May 1967; Barbara Anne Magat, married 24 February 1999
Children / next generation: Anthony John Cecil, Lord Burghley; Angela Cecil
Armorial Registry
Cecil of Exeter — William Michael Anthony Cecil, 8th Marquess and continuing Canadian succession
Branch: Senior Exeter line; Canadian succession; Bridge Creek Ranch and western Canadian descendants
Issued / recorded: 1988-01-12
Cecil of Exeter — William Michael Anthony Cecil, 8th Marquess of Exeter, Canadian male-line succession
Branch: Cecil of Burghley; Exeter senior line; Canadian male-line succession from Martin Cecil
Issued / recorded: 1988-01-12
Record history (latest 1)
- Updated crest/arms.
3 Sep 2026, 08:19 UTC · Registry system
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