Susan Cunliffe-Lister, Dowager Countess of Swinton, Baroness Masham of Ilton (born 14 April 1935) is a crossbench member of the House of Lords. She was born as Susan Lilian Primrose Sinclair, the daughter of Major Sir Ronald Sinclair, 8th Bt, and educated at Heathfield School and London Polytechnic. In 1959 she married Lord Masham, who became Earl of Swinton in 1972. By this marriage Susan Cunliffe-Lister became Countess of Swinton. Lord and Lady Swinton adopted two children. Lady Swinton is a prominent Roman Catholic convert and a patron of the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology ([1]). Lady Swinton was disabled in a riding accident in 1959, and subsequently became a champion for causes related to disability. She was created a life peer in 1970 as Baroness Masham of Ilton, of Masham in the North Riding of the County of York. She is an active member of the House of Lords, where she continues to be known as Baroness Masham of Ilton, despite holding the higher title of Countess. She takes a particular interest in issues surrounding disability, health and penal reform. Lady Swinton continues to run the Masham Riding Centre in Masham, North Yorkshire.
Titles from birth
- Miss Susan Lilian Primrose Sinclair (1935 – 1959)
- Lady Masham (1959 – 1970)
- The Right Honourable The Baroness Masham of Ilton (1970 – 1972)
- The Right Honourable The Countess of Swinton (1972 – 2006)
- The Right Honourable Susan, Countess of Swinton (2006 –)
