William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington

William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington

William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington, PC (c. 1690 – 8 December 1756), was a British statesman and diplomatist.

He was a younger son of John Stanhope of Elvaston, Derbyshire, and a brother of Charles Stanhope (1673–1760), an active politician during the reign of George I. His ancestor, Sir John Stanhope (d. 1638), was a half-brother of Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield. Educated at Eton, William Stanhope entered the army and served in Spain, during the War of the Spanish Succession, but soon he turned his attention to more peaceful pursuits, went on a mission to Madrid and represented his country at Turin.

When peace was made between England and Spain in 1720 Stanhope became British ambassador to the latter country, and he retained this position until March 1727, having built up his reputation as a diplomatist during a difficult period. In 1729 he had some part in arranging the Treaty of Seville between England, France and Spain, and for his services in this matter he was created Baron Harrington in January 1730.

Later in the same year he was appointed Secretary of State for the Northern Department under Sir Robert Walpole, replacing Lord Townshend, but, like George II, he was anxious to assist the emperor Charles VI in his war with France, while Walpole favoured a policy of peace. Although the latter had his way Harrington remained secretary until the great minister's fall in 1742, when he was transferred to the office of Lord President of the Council and was created Earl of Harrington and Viscount Petersham.

In 1744, owing to the influence of his political allies, the Pelhams, he returned to his former post of Secretary of State, but he soon lost the favour of the king, and this was the principal cause why he left office in October 1746. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1747 to 1751, and he died in London on 8 December 1756.

References

*1911


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington — General William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington (December 18 1719 – April 1 1779) was an English politician, soldier and nobleman.The son of William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington, he took up a military career and joined the Foot Guards in… …   Wikipedia

  • Harrington, William Stanhope, 1st earl of, Viscount Petersham of Petersham — ▪ British diplomat also called (from 1730)  Baron Harrington  born c. 1690 died December 8, 1756, Westminster, near London, England       British diplomat and statesman in the Walpole Pelham era.       Educated at Eton College, Harrington was… …   Universalium

  • Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington — The Earl of Harrington The Earl of Harrington. Born 17 March 1753 …   Wikipedia

  • Earl of Harrington — is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1742 for the former Secretary of State and then Lord President of the Council, William Stanhope, 1st Baron Harrington. He had already been created Baron Harrington, of Harrington in… …   Wikipedia

  • Earl Stanhope — (pronounced Stannup ) was a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1718 for James Stanhope, 1st Viscount Stanhope, the principal minister of King George I, with remainder to the heirs male of his body. Stanhope was the son of… …   Wikipedia

  • Stanhope — The name Stanhope can refer to many places, people, and things.Places* Stanhope, Victoria, Australia * Stanhope, Prince Edward Island, Canada * Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK * Stanhope, Kent, England, UK * Stanhope, Peeblesshire, Scotland …   Wikipedia

  • Earl of Chesterfield — Earls of Chesterfield, in the County of Derby, was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1628 for Philip Stanhope. He had already been created Baron Stanhope, of Shelford in the County of Nottingham, in 1616, also in the Peerage of …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope — Portrait of Earl Stanhope by John Opie Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope aka Charles Mahon, 3rd Earl Stanhope FRS (3 August 1753 – 15 December 1816) was a British statesman and scientist. He was the father of the great traveller and Arabist… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton — Charles William Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton (11 October 1748 – ca. January 1795) was a Member of the British Parliament and a member of the peerage of Ireland. He was born on 11 October 1748, the son of Thomas and Mary (nee Leverly) Molyneux.[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Secretary of State for the Northern Department — For Secretaries of State of the Kingdom of England before the Restoration, see Secretary of State (England). The Secretary of State for the Northern Department was a position in the Cabinet of the government of Great Britain up to 1782. Before… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”